Kimi Antonelli and George Russell sent ‘clear’ message to Mercedes during behind-the-scenes meeting

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It has been revealed that Kimi Antonelli and George Russell sent a ‘clear’ message to Mercedes during a behind-the-scenes meeting. 

Antonelli and Russell are locked in a battle to become the 2026 Formula 1 world champion, thanks to Mercedes’ early-season dominance.

Russell, 28, won in Australia before teenager Antonelli secured four victories in a row in China, Japan, Miami and Canada.

Before Antonelli won the Canadian Grand Prix, the Silver Arrows made contact during a tense Sprint.

Antonelli was told off by Toto Wolff after repeatedly complaining on the team radio. 

Should Toto Wolff stay off the radio when Kimi Antonelli and George Russell battle?

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Bradley Lord reveals details of meeting between Toto Wolff, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell

Speaking on the latest episode of the Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show, Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has revealed details of their behind-the-scenes meeting following the incident. 

Lord stated that it was ‘important’ to hold a meeting with Wolff and the drivers in order to set the record straight.

It has been revealed that Antonelli and Russell sent a ‘clear’ message and urged Mercedes to ‘trust’ them. 

Lord said: “After the Sprint, there was a sit-down and a chat with Toto as well as with the two drivers, just talking about how the Sprint had gone and really how they want to race each other going forward.

“I think Kimi referred to it as a little bit like being called to the headmaster’s or the principal’s office. That again was a very, actually a very constructive and very amicable conversation.

“The message from the drivers was really, really clear. Trust us to race each other. That’s what you’ve hired us to do. We can do it, and we are capable of doing it.

“Make sure that, as we said earlier, racing is always happening with the interest of Mercedes foremost, not just the individual priorities of each driver.”

Is Toto Wolff putting unnecessary pressure on his drivers with quotes like this? 😬

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READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli and George Russell told scenario that Mercedes may start to ‘prioritise’ one of them

Bradley Lord says Mercedes must ‘recognise’ their drivers’ ‘lifelong dream’

Lord went on to say that Mercedes have used the incidents to realise what is at stake in 2026.

It has been noted that Mercedes must ‘respect’ what the drivers are facing as they aim to win races for the team and the world title for themselves.

Lord added: “It was important to talk. It was important to have those incidents to recognise what’s at stake this year.

“They are racing for wins each weekend and potentially for a championship if we can continue this form further into the season, and it’s important for the team as well to recognise that it is their lifelong dream.

“That they have worked all these years for in karting through the junior Formula and now into F1.

“You have to respect the magnitude of that challenge for the drivers as well. I think we came out of it in a pretty good place.”