Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff has mentioned the workforce had “no likelihood” to alter tyre technique for George Russell through the F1 Italian Grand Prix, with the British driver having misplaced out to Kimi Antonelli.
Anontelli, who had obtained an engine penalty for the beginning of the race, surged from nineteenth on the grid to take his seventh win of the 2026 Formulation 1 season.
This got here after a tense battle with teammate Russell over a variety of laps, the 2 Mercedes drivers steadily swapping locations. A late Digital Security Automotive, brought on by Lance Stroll stopping on observe, allowed Antonelli to pit for recent medium tyres.
In the meantime, Russell was compelled to proceed his race on the laborious tyres he obtained forward of the race restart. Overtaken by Antonelli within the closing laps on more energizing tyres, Russell completed the race in P2 behind his teammate, and now sits 66 factors behind the Italian within the standings.
Wolff: “There was no likelihood” to alter Russell’s technique
Talking to Sky Sports activities, Wolff defined that Mercedes didn’t count on Antonelli’s two-stop technique to be stronger than the one-stop Russell was working.
“[Antonelli] stored his head down, took no dangers firstly with the restarts, after which one after the other. A tremendous drive,” he mentioned.
“Yeah, it was, in any case, the two-stop was one of the best. However we didn’t suppose it was the case.
“So, that was good for him. However right now there was nothing that might have stopped him. I’m actually blissful.”
Wolff admitted that the workforce didn’t have time to change Russell’s technique, even after having realised it was the simpler play.
“Clearly George fought with worn-out instruments on the finish,” he mentioned.
“So, I’m actually blissful for the one and two. No, he was on the laborious. We would have liked to go on the one-stop; there was no likelihood.”
Antonelli’s championship lead additionally benefitted from a lacklustre efficiency from Ferrari at its residence race in Monza. Charles Leclerc crashed on lap two, taking him out of the race, whereas Lewis Hamilton struggled for grip all through and ended up sixth.