Toto Wolff sets drivers F1 title fight rule as George Russell complains | F1 | Sport
Kimi Antonelli has Toto Wolff‘s full approval to fight team-mate George Russell for Formula 1 title glory. Russell was the pre-season favourite and got off to the perfect start with victory in Melbourne, but he has since been beaten to wins in China and Japan by Antonelli who is now F1’s youngest ever championship leader.
And Mercedes chief Wolff is happy to leave both of them “absolutely off the leash” – as long as they keep things clean. The Austrian said: “We’re three races in, the car is good so we need to continue to do our job and give them a tool that they can continue to win or fight for the positions.
“Towards the end of the season we’re going to see how the points fall and whether anything needs to be done. Absolutely off the leash both of them, as long as there’s this kind of margin between the cars we are fine.”
Antonelli’s wins, while impressive, have come thanks in no small part to misfortune befalling his more experienced team-mate. In China he suffered an enging fault in qualifying which hampered his push for pole position, while at Suzuka on Sunday Russell was ahead of the Italian and so was the first to pit, only for the safety car to come out on the next lap.
“At the moment, it is just one thing after the other,” the 28-year-old said. “Racing can go for you, but it can also go against you too and every issue we are having is on my side of the garage and I’m the one going through that pain.
“Sometimes people have problems in practice. We have not had a single issue in practice, but I have had problems in qualifying instead. It’s the luck of the draw with these new cars. But it’s race three of 22 and I am not concerned at all. It’s a long year and I know I’ve got what it takes to bounce back. I won’t dwell on it.”
Despite having shown he is capable of winning races and taking advantage of opportunities, Antonelli is reluctant to believe a title challenge could be on. The 19-year-old said: “I’m not worrying about that, to be fair. I’m just going to focus on myself, on what I need to do, trying to get everything right in terms of procedure, starts, driving.
“I know how strong George is and for sure it’s going to be very hard. Plus, I think Ferrari and McLaren will get closer, so it’s going to be important to stay on top of my game and keep raising the bar. But I’m not focusing on or worrying about this at the moment. I’m ust obviously happy with how things went and will try to make the best out of the break and see how I can improve those areas in order to be back stronger.”
