Mercedes explain Dutch GP late swap between Russell and Antonelli

Mercedes made a late team-order call in the Dutch Grand Prix to swap George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in the fight for second place behind Lando Norris. The move came after a disrupted race at Zandvoort that included an opening-lap red flag following Max Verstappen's crash and a later virtual safety car.

According to the reported details, Antonelli took soft tyres under the late VSC while Russell stayed out. At that stage, Antonelli and Russell were running second and fourth respectively, with Lewis Hamilton between them, before Mercedes instructed Russell to let his team-mate through in the closing laps.

Toto Wolff stood by the decision and explained Mercedes' reasoning after the race. Russell also gave his view and ultimately conceded that allowing Antonelli past was the right decision, while former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was among those to defend the team's call.