Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has shed light on the meeting that took place after the incident involving Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell during the Sprint race in Canada. According to Lord, the conversation between the drivers and team principal Toto Wolff was both constructive and surprisingly light-hearted, with Antonelli even joking about the situation afterward.
Speaking to the media, Lord explained that the team felt it was important to address the incident and establish clear expectations for future on-track battles between the two Mercedes drivers.
“After the Sprint in Canada, there was a meeting and a discussion with Toto, as well as with both drivers,” Lord said. “They talked about how the Sprint had unfolded and how they want to race each other moving forward.
“Kimi described it a bit like being called into the principal’s office. Even so, it was a very constructive and very friendly conversation. The message from the drivers was clear: trust us to race each other. That’s why you hired us, and we can do it. We are capable of doing it while making sure that every race is conducted in Mercedes’ best interests, not simply according to the personal priorities of each driver.”
The discussion came after a tense Sprint encounter between the teammates, highlighting the delicate balance Mercedes must manage as both drivers continue to fight near the front of the field.
Reflecting on the importance of these internal conversations, Bradley Lord emphasized what is at stake for both the drivers and the team as Mercedes continues its strong start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.
“It was important to talk about it, important to have those incidents and recognize what is at stake this year,” he explained. “At the moment, they are racing to win every single race weekend and potentially for a championship if we can maintain this level of performance throughout the season.
“No, I don’t think there is a major issue. Obviously, when you listen to some of the radio communications, I think there is room for improvement. But in terms of showing their emotions, that’s fine. What matters is staying focused on driving.
“Other than that, I think they are behaving like drivers who are fighting for a championship. I wouldn’t see that as a flaw. It’s something we can clarify internally. But I didn’t particularly enjoy, if that’s the right phrase, processing emotions over the team radio.”
Lord’s comments suggest that Mercedes remains confident in the relationship between its two drivers despite the occasional flashpoint. With Andrea Kimi Antonelli leading the championship and George Russell eager to close the gap, intense competition between the teammates is likely to remain a key storyline throughout the remainder of the season.
Leave a Reply