RUSSELL SAYS HE AND ANTONELLI MUST BE “SMART” ABOUT FIGHTS TO AVOID THROWING WINS AWAY

George Russell asserts Mercedes drivers must be "smart" in their on-track fights, warning that aggressive internal battles could hand victories to rival teams. The Catalunya Grand Prix served as a stark reminder, where the skirmish between Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, coupled with a timely Virtual Safety Car, helped Lewis Hamilton secure the win. Russell emphasized that the team's victory is the ultimate priority.

He drew a clear distinction between the Canadian Grand Prix, where their fight pulled them away from rivals, and Barcelona, where their battle lost crucial time and potentially opened the door for Ferrari had Hamilton not benefited from the VSC. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has already hinted at potential team orders. Russell acknowledged a pit stop error also compromised his own race in Spain. As Mercedes consistently fights at the front, carefully managing driver dynamics will be critical to maximize their championship potential against resurgent rivals.