How Toto Wolff Plans to Keep Any Potential Russell–Antonelli Rivalry in Check

How Wolff Plans to Keep Russell, Antonelli in Check Sam Bloxham - Getty Images Formula 1’s unexpected one-month-long spring break has given teams and drivers a chance to take stock of what happened over the first three race weekends and work on improving their cars ahead of the resumption in Miami next month. Every team has homework to do, and likely welcomes the extra time back at their factories. However, the one organization that would, perhaps, have been happiest to carry on racing was Mercedes.

The team has been off to a flying start in 2026, with George Russell winning in Australia and Kimi Antonelli —helped by fortune going against the former—following up with successes in China and Japan. Contrary to most people’s expectations at the start of the year, the 19-year-old Italian currently leads the World Championship. We thus now have the fascinating prospect of an ongoing battle between the mercurial teenager in his sophomore year and his more experienced team mate—a guy who went into this season likely feeling that his time has come, having watched his close contemporary Lando Norris win the championship in 2025 .

Russell would no doubt have liked the chance to bounce back in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia soon after losing out to unlucky safety car timing at Suzuka. But despite having to wait a month for a chance of redemption, he’s not too worried by the current situation. “No, not at all to be honest, because it's a hell of a long season,” the Brit says.

“And no championship has ever been won after three races. So for me, it's always important to maximize the results. I'm not leading the championship, but I've got to be honest—when I look at the circumstance of the last two races, I actually feel like I've maximized my results, and that's all I can do.