Russell denies Mercedes favouring Antonelli

George Russell has addressed rumors suggesting that Mercedes is showing preferential treatment to his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who is leading the championship in 2026. Russell insists that there is no basis for these claims, highlighting that the entire team benefits from success and that both drivers are free to compete unless it jeopardizes the team's overall goals.

Former drivers Timo Glock and Ralf Schumacher have weighed in on the situation, with Glock anticipating potential conflicts between the two drivers, while Schumacher believes Russell retains the support of team principal Toto Wolff. Wolff has acknowledged Antonelli's impressive performance, stating that he is currently a standout within the team, which adds to the competitive dynamics between the teammates.