Mercedes clearly explains team orders as Toto Wolff warns about changing drivers
As the Formula One title fight gets more exciting, Mercedes has made an important choice that could affect Kimi Antonelli’s chances.
We’re already 11 races into the 2026 season, so we have a good idea of who’s battling for the top spots as racing resumes after the summer break. Surprisingly, it’s Mercedes’ young driver Antonelli who’s leading the pack. At just 19 years old, he’s currently the favorite to win the Drivers’ Championship thanks to his strong start.
Before the break, Antonelli had six wins, nine podiums, and 219 points—50 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton in second place. Many expected Antonelli’s teammate George Russell to be the favorite, but he’s currently 59 points behind.
Some Mercedes fans think it might be time for the team to back Antonelli fully and give him priority, especially as other teams have gotten stronger. But the Mercedes team, led from Brackley, isn’t ready to do that yet. Deputy team boss Bradley Lord confirmed that team principal Toto Wolff’s decision stands—Mercedes won’t change race results to favor one driver, as he shared after the Belgian Grand Prix.
“The main rule is simple: if a Mercedes can win, a Mercedes must win, and that’s what matters most,” Lord said in a mid-season review. “The team always comes first, and winning the Constructors’ Championship is our top goal.”
He added, “We’ve seen momentum shift a lot this season. Some thought only one driver could win, but in just three races, that changed. It’s still the halfway point, so it’s too soon to think too far ahead. We want to win both Championships and will do that by finishing with both cars as often and as high as possible, which we haven’t achieved yet this year.”
Instead of playing favorites, Lord says the team will focus on fixing reliability issues, which have caused both drivers to retire early in some races. Russell had to pull out in Canada because of a battery problem, and Antonelli faced the same in Barcelona. Russell has also struggled with other mechanical troubles recently.
“Our goal is clear: reliable and fast cars, so our drivers can have the best chance at winning the Drivers’ Championship,” Lord said. “But the key point remains: if a Mercedes can win, we want it to be a Mercedes—no matter which driver—and we’ll do what’s needed to make sure the fastest car on race day wins. That’s the priority.”
It’s not unusual for Mercedes to have two strong drivers fighting for the title. The team managed the intense rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg for four years, which brought them three Constructors’ titles but also strained the drivers’ friendship.
Wolff has made it clear he won’t let that kind of rivalry happen again. “I won’t allow it,” he told RacingNews365. “That’s never going to happen to me or the team again. Simple. If a driver crosses the line, I will take action.”
So, Mercedes is keeping a team-first mindset as the championship heats up, hoping to balance the talents of both Antonelli and Russell for the best results.