Mercedes is reconsidering its approach to intra-team battles as Lewis Hamilton closes the gap in the 2026 Formula 1® championship standings. With Hamilton emerging as a serious contender alongside Ferrari’s Kimi Antonelli, the team is weighing whether to impose restrictions on racing between George Russell and Antonelli to protect their overall title chances.
Mercedes began the 2026 season strongly, securing victories in the first six races before Hamilton and Ferrari ended their winning streak. Currently, Antonelli leads the championship, but Mercedes has encountered reliability issues that have affected both Russell and Antonelli’s ability to score points consistently. Hamilton sits 41 points behind Antonelli and holds a narrow 9-point advantage over Russell in the standings.
Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that the intra-team battles between Russell and Antonelli cost Mercedes valuable time during the Barcelona Grand Prix, estimating a loss of around five to six seconds. Despite warnings about track limits and the risk of aiding rivals like Lando Norris, Mercedes allowed the two drivers to race freely at Barcelona. Wolff indicated that the team will discuss whether to intervene in future races to prevent teammates from fighting when a new competitor such as Hamilton is in contention.
Wolff stressed the importance of avoiding mistakes and improving both the car and power unit performance to stay competitive against Hamilton. The team’s strategic approach may evolve as the championship battle tightens, with a greater focus on maximising points and minimising risks between their drivers.
Former world champion Nico Rosberg, who raced alongside Hamilton at Mercedes, criticised the team’s leniency towards Russell’s aggressive racing at Barcelona. Rosberg suggested that team orders might be necessary to secure victories when the championship is at stake. Although he acknowledged that there is no official number one or two driver at Mercedes yet, he emphasised that if the team risks losing a win, drivers should prioritise the team result.
As the season progresses, Mercedes faces the challenge of balancing intra-team competition with the need to support Hamilton’s championship push. The decisions made in the coming races could shape the dynamics within the team and influence their overall performance in the title fight.
