Nico Rosberg has defended the much-discussed team orders from Mercedes during the Dutch GP. According to the German, the Silberpfeile had no other choice but to let Kimi Antonelli and George Russell swap positions in the final phase. This way, the Italian finished in second place and extended his lead over his teammate in the championship standings. During the race, Russell expressed his dissatisfaction via the radio, but afterwards he accepted the decision.
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Kimi Antonelli led for a long time at Zandvoort but was overtaken near the end of the race by a fast Lando Norris. During a late virtual safety car, he came in again for fresh soft tires, which put him behind teammate Russell. Behind him, however, Ferrari had also opted for a double pit stop; Antonelli felt the hot breath of the Scuderia on his neck.
Meanwhile, Russell saw Norris pulling further and further away. He was clearly not fighting for the win, so Mercedes asked him to give up P2 to Antonelli. “Is he fighting for the win then?” Russell asked surprised. “Was he planning to overtake Norris?” Still, he conceded and let Antonelli pass.
Fair driver swap
Nico Rosberg understands Russell’s frustration but believes Mercedes had to act in the interest of the team. “The team is under pressure and the two drivers have to drive for the team,” he responded to Sky Sports. “I also once had to let Lewis (Hamilton, ed.) pass in Monaco, while we were also fighting for the championship then,” he explained. “This was the same situation: the team result was threatened by the two Ferraris. Then you have to give team orders and as a driver you have to follow them. I thought it was more than fair. And afterwards George (Russell, ed.) did a fantastic job holding that third place.”
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However, that does not make the decision any less ‘terrible’, Rosberg admitted. “But otherwise you endanger both positions; they were afraid the Ferraris would take both Mercedes cars. I wouldn’t want to trade places with them and it hurts a lot to be in George’s position. A disaster, you could say. But in a way, it is also understandable.”
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