Mercedes could consider asking newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli to help George Russell secure second place in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship. Team principal Toto Wolff has suggested that the possibility remains open as Mercedes looks to complete an extraordinary season with a one-two finish in the individual standings, although no decision has yet been made.
With Max Verstappen currently holding second place and George Russell facing a difficult run of results, Mercedes has one final objective after already securing both world championships. The team has three Grands Prix remaining to overturn the gap to the Red Bull driver, with Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris also involved in the fight for the runner-up position.
Mercedes targets complete F1 domination with championship one-two
After waiting since 2021, the year of its previous Constructors’ Championship victory, Mercedes has returned to the top of Formula 1 under the new technical regulations. The German manufacturer has captured both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, ending its title drought in emphatic fashion.
Both titles were secured well before the end of the season, demonstrating the consistently competitive performance of the Mercedes W17. Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren, by contrast, have experienced considerably more fluctuating fortunes throughout the campaign.
For Mercedes, however, one achievement remains outstanding. Having already secured both world titles, the team now wants to complete its dominance by finishing first and second in the Drivers’ Championship.
George Russell faces Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in battle for P2
Andrea Kimi Antonelli was crowned Formula 1 world champion on 25 October at the Mexico City Grand Prix, leaving the battle for second place as one of the principal remaining contests in the 2026 season. The Drivers’ Championship standings remain extremely competitive behind the Mercedes champion, with several leading drivers still in contention.
Max Verstappen currently occupies second place with 279 points, holding a 17-point advantage over George Russell and an 18-point lead over Lewis Hamilton. Charles Leclerc trails the Dutchman by 30 points, while Lando Norris is 33 points behind.
Only three Grands Prix remain on the calendar: Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Max Verstappen appears to be the favourite to secure the runner-up position, having produced an impressive sequence of eight consecutive podium finishes and 10 top-three results in his last 11 Grands Prix, including three victories.
The Red Bull driver’s strong form has made the challenge particularly difficult for his rivals. Ferrari is also involved in the closing stages of the championship battle, with the recent shift in the competitive balance between Ferrari and Red Bull adding further significance to their performances during the final races.
Toto Wolff considers Kimi Antonelli team orders to help George Russell
George Russell, meanwhile, has struggled to maintain the same level of performance as his Mercedes team-mate despite having access to the championship-winning W17. The British driver has managed just one podium finish in the last seven Grands Prix, although that result was a victory in Baku.
His difficult run has highlighted the contrast between the two Mercedes drivers, with Toto Wolff previously addressing George Russell’s struggles against Andrea Kimi Antonelli. With the championship title already decided, Mercedes could now consider using its newly crowned world champion to support George Russell’s attempt to finish second overall.
Asked directly about the possibility of Andrea Kimi Antonelli helping his team-mate following the São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, Toto Wolff indicated that Mercedes had not yet formulated a specific strategy but could examine ways to maximise George Russell’s chances.
“I haven’t thought about it yet, but it’s clear that we want George to score as many points as possible and finish second. Kimi helping him? We need to think about what to do in that regard, but it’s possible that we’ll do everything we can to achieve it,” the Mercedes team principal explained.
The comments leave open the possibility of team orders during the final three races, although Toto Wolff stopped short of confirming that Andrea Kimi Antonelli would be instructed to assist George Russell.
Mercedes has already achieved its two main objectives for 2026, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrating his first Formula 1 world championship and the team securing the Constructors’ title. Whether the Italian will now play a supporting role in George Russell’s pursuit of Max Verstappen remains one of the questions heading into the final three Grands Prix.
Leave a Reply