Mercedes says Dutch GP team orders were intended to aid Russell
Mercedes said its late team orders at the Dutch Grand Prix were designed to help George Russell secure third place. The call came after the lap-55 virtual safety car period, with Russell later defending the position from Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages.
Mercedes said the late team orders it used at Zandvoort were aimed at helping George Russell hold on to third place. Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin said the instruction came after the virtual safety car period on lap 55 of 72.
As part of that phase, Russell was told to let team-mate Kimi Antonelli through. Antonelli, who had led for much of the race, had pitted for a fresh set of tyres.
Russell then produced a strong defensive drive in the final laps to keep Lewis Hamilton behind and secure third place at the Dutch Grand Prix.
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