Mercedes Drivers Clear to Race Freely Amid Championship Tensions Ahead of Monaco GP
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have been given the green light to race each other freely, provided there is mutual respect, following discussions at Mercedes after their battles in Canada. The two drivers faced off in both the Sprint and Grand Prix in Montreal, with Russell winning the Sprint, but retiring from the main race due to an engine issue, leaving him 43 points behind Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship. Russell expressed confidence in their ability to race hard, stating, "It was left that we have to be trusted. This is what we do. We're drivers. We push ourselves to the limit every single lap." Antonelli echoed this sentiment, noting that the team's goal is to maximize points for both drivers while maintaining a competitive spirit. Despite Antonelli's impressive start to the season with four consecutive wins, he remains cautious, saying, "It's too early to talk about the championship." Russell, however, emphasized that the championship is still open, citing past seasons where bad luck affected top drivers. Looking ahead to the Monaco Grand Prix, both drivers acknowledge Ferrari's strength on the circuit, with Russell stating, "Ferrari have always been very strong here, so we expect them to probably be the fastest this weekend." Russell also confirmed that the power unit issue from Canada caused significant damage, although he believes the performance should not be affected for the remainder of the season. As the race weekend approaches, anticipation builds for what could be a pivotal moment in the championship race.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-06-04