Mercedes may soon "put the handbrake on" the intense on-track battles between George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Team Principal Toto Wolff indicated that while their Canadian Grand Prix fights were entertaining, two key risks could force a policy change.
First, the duo came dangerously close to a double-DNF in Canada, with Antonelli’s lock-up nearly taking out Russell. Mistakes, not necessarily aggression, pose a constant threat. Second, extended wheel-to-wheel combat costs precious lap time. Fighting forces drivers into sub-optimal braking and acceleration phases, hindering energy harvesting and deployment, which can cost a second per lap to rivals. While Mercedes had a pace advantage in Canada, that won't always be the case.
Wolff made it clear he won't hesitate to intervene if team points are at risk or if they're bleeding too much time to competitors. As the championship heats up and competitors potentially close the gap, Mercedes' internal fight could look very different.
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