The battle for the 2026 Formula 1 title is starting to create challenges within Mercedes, but David Croft believes the team should resist the temptation to impose team orders. For the Sky Sports F1 commentator, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli need to remain free to compete, even amid the increasing tension between the two drivers.
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This situation gained prominence after the events at the Canadian GP, when Russell and Antonelli were involved in an incident during the Sprint race that could have ended much more seriously. The episode led both to a conversation with the team principal, Toto Wolff, to reinforce the rules of coexistence and competition within the team.
Despite the risk of new confrontations, Croft believes it is not yet time for any intervention. According to him, Mercedes already has a comfortable lead in the constructors’ championship and remains the benchmark on the grid. “They don’t need an intervention now. They didn’t need an intervention with McLaren last year,” he said.
The commentator argued that the team should trust the drivers it chose to represent its colors: “You pay these drivers very well. You should trust them. Every employer should trust that their employees will do their job, because it was you who placed trust in them by hiring them,” he said.
Croft also suggested that Wolff keep only reminders about the rules of competition, without restricting the battle on track: “For now, don’t intervene. Don’t change anything. Just keep reminding what those engagement rules are and give the fans a great show.” He also stated that a firmer action would only be justifiable if the two ended up mutually compromising each other’s races.
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Although he recognizes the possibility of strategies and psychological games emerging throughout the season, the commentator does not believe the current rivalry will reach the level of tension seen in the past between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg: “I think there is a very healthy respect between them. But we will see what tricks may appear in the future,” he concluded.
The three-time W Series champion, Jamie Chadwick, also analyzed the situation and highlighted the balance of the battle between the two drivers. For her, the incident in the Sprint race showed how close the battle was to ending in a negative result for the team: “They were just a few laps away from that ending in tears,” she said, who also works as a commentator.
Chadwick also highlighted Antonelli’s growing confidence as an important factor in the internal fight. According to her, the Italian shows a positive aggressiveness that has made a difference in his performance: “You could see that Kimi was extremely determined. He had extra motivation to reach the same level as his teammate,” she concluded. For her, recent wins have increased Antonelli’s confidence, who now races with the conviction that he is fully capable of surpassing Russell and fighting for positions ahead within Mercedes.
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