Russell denies Mercedes favouring Antonelli

George Russell has dismissed suggestions Mercedes is giving preferential treatment to teenage teammate Kimi Antonelli amid the Italian’s standout 2026 campaign.

Antonelli is comfortably leading the world championship at present, prompting speculation the team is increasingly being built around the 19-year-old.

"I did hear on the grapevine that there is chatter about favouritism," Russell told the Daily Mail.

"It doesn’t bother me - and nor is it true."

The Briton said there would be no reason for Mercedes to back one driver over the other. "There are 2,000 people in the team and they are all on a bonus if we win the constructors’ championship, so why would there be favouritism?

"We are both allowed to race, unless the team’s overriding aim to win the maximum points available is under threat."

Former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock believes tensions between the pair are nevertheless inevitable.

"There’s definitely a lot of tension there," he told Heute. "For me, it’s only a matter of time before the two clash.

"We’ll certainly see that a few more times this year."

Another former driver Ralf Schumacher, however, believes Russell still has Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s full backing.

"George Russell has known Toto Wolff for a long time," he told Sky Deutschland.

"As long as Russell continues to conduct himself professionally, doesn’t get involved in politics, and doesn’t try to interfere with Antonelli, I really don’t see any reason why Mercedes should replace him."

Schumacher acknowledged, however, that Antonelli - another Wolff protege - has become the benchmark inside the team.

"Toto Wolff laid out his view of the situation very clearly," he said.

"He literally said that Kimi ’is in a different class’. It couldn’t have been clearer.

"And frankly, that’s exactly how things stand at the moment."