Monaco GP: George Russell, Kimi Antonelli reveal results of Mercedes talks on racing after Canada battle | F1 News

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have been “trusted” to race each other freely as long as there is “respect” after talks with Mercedes drivers following their battle in Canada.

The Mercedes pair last met in Montreal in the sprint and grand prix, making little contact in both duels.

Russell came out on top in the sprint but their battle in the main race ended after 30 laps when the British driver retired with engine problems that left him 43 points behind Antonelli in the drivers’ championship.

“It was left to believe. That’s what we do. We’re drivers. We push ourselves to the limit every lap,” Russell said ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

“When we race each other, you push each other to the limit. Of course, when you’re sitting on the sidelines, near the pit wall or even Toto (Wolf), of course, it’s very stressful and exciting because you can’t control what’s going to happen and you can control it.

“Ultimately we have to trust, and we’re faithful, and that’s how it’s left, so we’re going to keep fighting hard. We know each other’s boundaries, and that’s been good.”

Antonelli revealed that he and Russell held discussions with the team this week where “all aspects of the race” were reviewed.

“The end of the discussion was, as long as there’s respect, you can run each other freely, as long as you don’t put yourself in a situation that could harm you or both of you. The team doesn’t want to have any rules,” he said.

“Understandably, they want both cars to finish and get as many points as possible for the team, and that’s also in our minds because we race for ourselves because we want to be the best, we want to win. But we also race for the team because we want to reward the 2000 plus people who work at Brackley and Brixworth.”

Russell: Championship still ‘got to be won’

Russell said the championship was “Antonelli’s to lose” after retiring in Canada, with the Italian teenager also claiming his fourth consecutive grand prix win.

However, he was in a more positive mood on Thursday in Monaco and said “everything is to play for” if he is to perform at a high level.

“It’s anybody’s game,” Russell said. “A lot of emotion at the moment, of course, but now that I see it, I’ve seen the championships in the past, I don’t think there’s been a season where the winner hasn’t had some bad luck at some point.

“Even Lando crashed in Zandvoort last year, got disqualified in Vegas. Other drivers in other seasons – Max (Verstappen) in 2021, he had a flat tire in Azerbaijan – as a driver there’s always something that goes against you.

“I’ve already had it once or twice this season, maybe it’s the end and it’s all spinning. But there’s a lot of opportunities left and I just feel good that I ticked every possible box in Canada and did what I could.”

Antonelli admitted he was “surprised” at the start of the season but insisted it was “too early” to talk about the championship.

He said: “I just keep trying to excel, every time I get in the car, try to give my best, try to maximize the results, then we’ll see where we go at the end of the season.

“It’s hard to even think about losing something you don’t have. I didn’t win the championship, so how can I lose something I didn’t even earn?

“Of course I will race as I have always enjoyed, and then, as I said before, we will see where we go at the end of the season.”

Is Mercedes’ winning streak coming to an end?

With Antonelli’s four wins in a row and Russell’s victory in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Mercedes are unbeaten on Sunday in 2026.

However, the characteristics of the car required for acceleration in Monaco mean that Ferrari are favorites as they are strong in slow and medium speed corners.

“It’s clear that we have a big advantage over Ferrari in the power unit and in Monaco, because there aren’t many straights, the power-unit advantage is considerably less,” Russell said.

“We know Charles (Leclerc) in particular, but Ferrari have always been very strong here so we expect they will probably be fastest this weekend but I hope I’m wrong.”

Russell confirmed that the power unit problem in Canada caused “a lot of damage” but should not affect his engine’s performance for the rest of the season.

“The battery was so badly damaged, it had to be taken home by ocean freight, it can’t be taken home, so we’ll only be able to properly review it once the battery is back,” he said.

“Brixworth is the best in the business and has been for 15 to 20 years now, so we’ll be on top of it.”

Sky Sports F1’s Monaco GP live schedule

Friday June 5
10am: F3 qualifying
12pm: Monaco GP Practice One (Session starts at 12.30pm)
2.05pm: F2 qualifying
3 pm: Team bosses’ press conference
3.30pm: Monaco GP Practice Two (Session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 show

Saturday 6th June
9.40am: F3 sprint
11.15am: Monaco GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Monaco GP qualifying build-up
3pm: Monaco GP Qualifying*

Sunday, June 7
6.50am: F3 Feature Race
8.30am: F2 Feature Race
10.50am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Monaco GP Build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2pm: Monaco Grand Prix*
4pm: Monaco GP Reaction: Checkered flag*

*Also on Sky Sports main events

Watch the Monaco Grand Prix, the first of six races in eight weeks, on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime