P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes concedes it may need to restrict its F1 title rivals Kimi Antonelli and George Russell having total freedom to race each other
“Mercedes is considering restricting the racing freedom between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell in Formula 1 due to potential risks involved in their intense battles.
Even though Mercedes refrained from giving team orders during the recent Canadian Grand Prix, the team may have to intervene if the competition escalates to a dangerous level.
Team principal Toto Wolff expressed concerns about the possibility of accidents or retirements if the drivers continue to push the limits in their battles on track.
Moreover, allowing Russell and Antonelli to engage in fierce duels could inadvertently benefit rival teams by causing time losses due to increased battling on the circuit.
With the current rules magnifying time losses during on-track battles, Mercedes might need to reassess their approach to prevent competitors from capitalizing on their intense racing.
Wolff emphasized the need to strike a balance between allowing competitive racing and avoiding situations where the team’s performance advantage is compromised by internal battles.”
