Wolff to discuss Mercedes intra-team rules with drivers

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff indicated that he plans to review the team's internal racing regulations after the recent Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The decision comes amid concern that aggressive wheel-to-wheel battles between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli may have cost the team valuable time.

During the race in Spain, Russell and Antonelli engaged in a close fight, with Antonelli passing Russell late on before encountering a mechanical issue. This incident followed similar intense duels earlier in the season, including a notable battle in Canada where Antonelli secured victory after Russell retired from the lead.

The team's performance in Barcelona saw them beaten in a Grand Prix for the first time in 2026, with Lewis Hamilton taking the win for Ferrari. Wolff suggested that the time lost during the intra-team skirmishes could have potentially aided Hamilton's victory, particularly when combined with a Virtual Safety Car period. He emphasized the need to discuss how the team will manage such situations in the future, especially when competing against external rivals for race wins.

Wolff stated that the team will internally discuss with both drivers how to approach scenarios where they risk impeding each other. He believes that a recalibration of their approach is necessary to ensure they are not losing performance to competitors.