Toto Wolff privately knows Kimi Antonelli’s radio spat with George Russell is good for F1

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Toto Wolff had to calm things down with Kimi Antonelli after he unleashed his fury at George Russell during the Canadian Grand Prix Sprint, but he also knows that it is good for Formula 1.

Russell won the Sprint race from pole position in Montreal with a solid defensive drive. But things did get intense as Mercedes teammate Antonelli tried to pass him into turn one, but he was forced onto the grass.

He ended up finishing third behind Lando Norris, and the championship leader was not happy with his teammate’s driving. Wolff told Antonelli to stop moaning, with the Mercedes boss coming over the radio twice to calm his driver down.

Toto Wolff privately knows Kimi Antonelli feuding with George Russell is good for F1

But while Mercedes will want order between their drivers, Wolff knows that drama between Antonelli and Russell makes for good viewing, as journalist Ralf Bach notes.

Discussing the incident, Bach said via F1-Insider: “What Antonelli’s done now is simply let his emotions run wild. The moment he practically spat that out over the radio, he just felt he’d been treated badly and unfairly, and he wanted to let off steam.

“And Toto Wolff, of course, knows on the one hand that it’s good for the viewers and for the show when they go at each other verbally, not just on the track – that’s obvious.

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“But naturally, he also wants some peace and quiet at some point and to say, ‘Right, you’ve had your say, once is fine, twice is fine from me, but that’s it now. The rest will be discussed internally.’

“Yes, Toto Wolff also has a bit of a – I don’t want to say surrogate father figure – but something like a headteacher’s role with his two elite pupils who now want to get the best A-levels.

“And if it’s necessary for one to copy from the other, to keep the fair rules in mind a bit and remind them of that. You’re not just representing yourselves here, but also the good reputation of our school, practically speaking.

“So, I think they have enough respect for Toto Wolff that his words actually carry weight. But what’s really important – and what I’m not quite sure about yet – is which people behind the scenes really have influence over Russell and Antonelli.”

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Toto Wolff needs to keep Kimi Antonelli in check after Canadian GP near-miss

Wolff knows all too well how internal battles at Mercedes can lead to disaster. He will not want a repeat of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg’s feud with his 2026 pairing.

Fred Vasseur says Wolff has a ‘rich man’s problem’ with both of his drivers being competitors and title rivals. It will be up to the Austrian to keep things in line, especially with Antonelli after his antics at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Martin Brundle has warned Antonelli about driving angrily and that he must keep a level head, which goes for double when he is battling with Russell. The team will have discussed matters internally, but it was a lucky escape for the Silver Arrows.