Mercedes explains Dutch GP team-order call between Russell and Antonelli
Mercedes said its late-race position swap at the Dutch Grand Prix followed discussions held before the race and was aimed at protecting a double podium finish. The team added it would have made the same decision regardless of which driver was ahead.
Mercedes has explained that its team-order decision involving George Russell and Kimi Antonelli late in the Dutch Grand Prix was not improvised. According to the team, the possibility of using team orders had already been discussed in a strategy meeting before the race.
The move came in the closing stages at Zandvoort after a virtual safety car was triggered on lap 55 by Esteban Ocon. At that point, Antonelli was running second and Russell fourth, and Mercedes instructed Russell to let Antonelli through.
Mercedes said the call was made because it believed the swap helped secure a double podium result. The team also stated it would have taken the same approach if the drivers' positions had been reversed.
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