Monaco GP: George Russell, Kimi Antonelli reveal the result of Mercedes talks about racing after the Canadian wars | F1 News

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are “trusted” to compete freely as long as there is “respect” after Mercedes held talks with its drivers following their battles in Canada.

The Mercedes duo went head-to-head in the Sprint and Grand Prix last time out in Montreal, making little contact in both races.

Russell took the lead in the sprint but their battle in the main race ended after 30 laps when the British driver retired with engine trouble leaving him 43 points behind Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship.

“It remained that we have to be trusted. This is what we do. We are drivers. We push ourselves to the limit every single lap,” said Russell ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

“When we compete against each other, you push each other until you reach the end. Of course, if you sit on the side, on the pit wall or even Toto. [Wolff]yes, it’s stressful and intense because you can’t control what’s going to happen and you want to be able to control it.

“Ultimately we have to be trusted, and we are trusted, and it was left like that, so we will continue to fight hard. We know each other’s limits, and that was good.”

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

“The conversation is over, you can race freely, as long as there is respect, as long as you don’t put yourself in situations that could harm one or both of you. The group does not want to set rules,” he said.

“It’s understandable that they want both cars to finish and get as many points as possible for the team, and that’s on our minds because we’re racing ourselves because we want to be at the top, we want to win. But we’re also chasing the team because we want to reward 2000 and the people who worked back at Brackley and Brixworth.”

Russell: Championship is still up for grabs ‘anyone’

Russell said the race was “Antonelli’s to lose” after he retired in Canada, while the young Italian also sought his fourth consecutive Grand Prix.

But, he was in excellent form on Thursday in Monaco and says “it’s all to play for” if he can perform at the highest level.

“It’s anybody’s business,” Russell said. “There’s a lot of emotions at the moment, but now that I look at it, I’ve looked at the championships before, I don’t think there’s been a season where the winner hasn’t been unlucky at one point.

“Even Lando last year broke at Zandvoort, got kicked out of Vegas. Other drivers in other seasons – Max [Verstappen] in 2021, his tire blew out in Azerbaijan – there’s always something that doesn’t go your way as a driver.

“I’ve had it once or twice this season, maybe the last time and everything changes. But there’s a lot of opportunities left and I feel good enough to check all the possible boxes in Canada and do everything I can.”

Antonelli admits he is “surprised” by his start to the season but insists it is “too early” to talk about heroics.

He said: “I just keep trying to do well, I try to do my best every time I drive, I try to increase the result, then we will see where we end up at the end of the season.

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

“I’m definitely going to run like I’ve always had fun, and then, like I said before, we’ll see where we end up at the end of the season.”

Will Mercedes’ victory come to an end?

With Antonelli’s four consecutive wins and Russell’s win at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Mercedes are unbeaten on Sundays in 2026.

However, the characteristics of the car needed to be fast in Monaco meant that the Ferrari was the favorite as it was strong in the fast and medium corners.

“It’s clear that a big part of our advantage compared to Ferrari was in the power unit and in Monaco, because there aren’t many straights, the power unit advantage is very small,” said Russell.

“We know Charles [Leclerc] especially, but Ferrari, they’ve been very strong here so we expect them to be maybe faster this weekend but I hope I’m wrong.”

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

“The battery was badly damaged, it had to be transported by sea to home, it cannot fly home, so we will be able to review it properly when the battery is back,” he said.

“Brixworth is the best in the business and has been for 15 to 20 years now, so we’re going to be the best.”

Sky Sports F1 Monaco GP live schedule

Friday June 5
10am: F3 Qualifying
12pm: Monaco GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2.05pm: F2 Qualifying
3pm: Team Leaders Conference
3.30pm: Monaco GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show

Saturday June 6
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: Sunday’s Grand Prix*
2pm: THE MONACO GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Monaco GP Reaction: The Checkered Flag*

*Also on Sky Sports Main Event

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