F1 Canada LIVE: Tensions flare between Mercedes teammates; Piastri starts fourth
Tensions have escalated between Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli during the sprint race. Antonelli expressed frustration over a contact incident with Russell, claiming it was unfair and deserving of a penalty. Team principal Toto Wolff intervened, urging Antonelli to focus on racing rather than complaining over the radio.
- ▪Tensions rose between Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli during the sprint race.
- ▪Antonelli accused Russell of unfairly pushing him off the track, calling for a penalty.
- ▪Team principal Toto Wolff advised Antonelli to concentrate on racing and not to voice complaints over the radio.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
5.33am‘Very naughty’: Tension rises between Mercedes pairBy After weeks of fairly cordial interactions, tensions started to simmer between Mercedes pair George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. During the sprint race, Antonelli put Russell under pressure on lap six, sweeping round the outside, only for the pair to make contact as the Italian was forced across the grass. Loading“That was very naughty. Not fair, he pushed me off,” Antonelli fumed over the radio, adding: “That should be a penalty, I was alongside the mirror.”Wolff intervened to tell Antonelli to “concentrate on the racing please and not the radio moaning”.“If we need to race like this, that’s good to know,” Antonelli muttered on the radio, with Wolff responding: “Kimi, now is not the time to talk about this.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.