Wolff rejects Mercedes favouritism claims over Antonelli and Russell
Toto Wolff has rejected claims that Mercedes is favouring Kimi Antonelli over George Russell, insisting the team remains committed to giving both drivers equal opportunities.
Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship by 84 points after Russell retired from the Malaysian Grand Prix with a power unit problem. It was the Briton’s third retirement of the season, and the widening gap has fuelled speculation about Mercedes’ treatment of its drivers.
Speaking to media on Friday at the Singapore Grand Prix, Wolff dismissed the accusations as baseless. He said the team had no reason to undermine either driver while competing for the Constructors’ Championship, and argued that social media had amplified claims without regard for how the team operates.
Wolff says equal treatment is central to Mercedes’ approach
Wolff said he had tried to maintain a balanced and transparent relationship with drivers throughout his time in Formula 1. He recalled being struck by Alain Prost’s account of how uncertainty over a team’s loyalties had contributed to tension with Ayrton Senna, and said that experience shaped his own approach.
He acknowledged that managing the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg had not always been easy. But he said the principle of fairness remains important to him, adding that Antonelli and Russell both understand how the team works.
Wolff described Antonelli, who has been with Mercedes since he was 11, as an integral part of the organisation. Russell joined the team’s orbit at 17, and Wolff said he feels close to the Briton as well. For more on Mercedes’ approach to managing its internal racing contest, see our earlier report.
Singapore’s split specifications are an information-gathering test
The team has taken different car specifications into the Singapore weekend: Antonelli is using the latest upgrade, while Russell has returned to the Azerbaijan-spec W17. Wolff said Mercedes does not yet know which version is faster, framing the split as a way to learn rather than a political choice.
He also said the drivers would not be asked to compromise one another’s races, while rejecting the idea that Antonelli’s title position changes the team’s obligations. Even if the championship mathematics currently favour the Italian, Wolff said Russell would still receive the same opportunities.
That stance, he added, reflects the ethos Mercedes has followed since he joined the team in 2013. Wolff said the priority was that both drivers knew they were being treated fairly, regardless of outside speculation. The team’s confidence in Antonelli’s potential has also been a focus in Wolff’s comments on the rookie’s rapid rise.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.