Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is still not considering team orders for his two drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. The young Italian driver further extended his lead over his teammate in the world championship with his victory at Spa-Francorchamps. For Wolff, this is not yet a reason to potentially favor Kimi Antonelli from now on: ‘We would never take away a victory from one of the drivers’.
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli has further extended his lead in the drivers’ championship with his win at the Belgian GP. The championship leader is now 45 points ahead of second-placed Lewis Hamilton and fifty points ahead of teammate George Russell. Nevertheless, Kimi Antonelli’s lead is not yet a reason for team boss Toto Wolff to start thinking about team orders.
The Austrian’s goal for his two drivers in Belgium was primarily to avoid a repeat of the battle in Barcelona. Due to the fight between Russell and Kimi Antonelli for second place, eventual winner Hamilton was able to disappear over the horizon. “After the lessons we learned in Barcelona, the mission we set ourselves for (Sunday at Spa, ed.) was that we wouldn’t waste time fighting each other on track,” Wolff told the media.
‘Would never take away a victory from the drivers’
“We don’t want a yo-yo effect, which could make us miss out on a victory due to a Ferrari or a Red Bull breathing down our necks,” the Mercedes team boss continues. “As happened in Barcelona. Without the retirement, Kimi would have won the race. Since then, we always prioritize a race victory. Whether it’s for Kimi or George. We would never take away a victory from one of the drivers. So if George is leading at that moment, even if he’s behind in the championship, we wouldn’t do that (give team orders, ed.) at that stage of the season.”
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The discussion about team orders at Mercedes flared up again after Kimi Antonelli secured his sixth win of the season in Belgium. Russell remained pointless due to his retirement on the opening lap. Wolff reveals how he tries to help the Brit get back on track. “I think all drivers – at least the ones I’ve worked with – when they go through difficult periods, and that happens to every athlete, need to find a way to motivate themselves or bounce back,” said the Mercedes team boss. “George has his own way, and I’m certainly trying to help him. I’ve known him for so long. I understand the frustrations, and the team is 100 percent behind him.”
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