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Max Verstappen has given Mercedes credit for allowing Kimi Antonelli and George Russell to race at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Antonelli and Russell served up an unforgettable battle in the first half of Sunday’s race before the latter retired on lap 30 due to a power unit issue.
The pair, who are likely to contest a two-horse race for the world championship, exchanged positions several times. Both drivers made mistakes while leading, a sign of the intense pressure involved.
Were Mercedes right to intervene in the George Russell vs Kimi Antonelli battle?
Max Verstappen: Mercedes let their drivers race, and that’s how it should be
Russell’s retirement ultimately allowed Verstappen to finish on the podium for the first time this year. Initially promoted to P2, he dropped to third after losing a place to Lewis Hamilton late on.
Asked about the Mercedes battle by Viaplay after the race, Verstappen said it was only right that Toto Wolff allowed the two drivers to battle.
“I saw some of it happening in front of me, it was fun to see!” said Verstappen. “It’s nice that they let them race, that’s how it should be.”
The Mercedes pit wall did warn both drivers that they were being too aggressive after a couple of near-misses. Antonelli almost took Russell out when he locked up at the final corner, and they later banged wheels on the same piece of tarmac, forcing the Italian to cut the chicane.
Some great performances on track, but which driver was the standout at the Canadian Grand Prix?
It’s the second year in a row that two teammates have been fighting for the title after Lando Norris’ duel with Oscar Piastri last year.
McLaren allowed the two drivers to race but were also ready to interfere in the battle when they felt fairness had been compromised.
- READ MORE: Toto Wolff admits Mercedes nearly had ‘enough’ of Kimi Antonelli vs George Russell at Canadian GP
Wolff, of course, has experience of managing intra-team rivalries. He wants to avoid a repeat of the Hamilton and Nico Rosberg fallout around a decade ago.
While the circumstances are clearly similar – Mercedes once again underlined their advantage over the field with their upgrades this weekend – and the tension has clearly increased this weekend, Antonelli and Russell both said they enjoyed their battle on Sunday.
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