'We’re not in kindergarten'- Russell cools Antonelli tensions after Canada GP clash
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated: 00:57, 24 May
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have revealed what was discussed within the team after their Canada GP Sprint battle. Russell and Antonelli finished P1 and P3 respectively in the Sprint, but not before a tense battle that saw Antonelli twice off the track in Montreal.
At the time, Antonelli was furious with his teammate's defensive actions, before being told by both his race engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington and team boss Toto Wolff to stop complaining on the team radio. Wolff said: "Concentrate on the driving and not on the radio moaning. It’s the fourth time to talk about this; we shall talk about this internally and not on team radio.”
Once emotions had settled, the focus was on Qualifying, with Russell taking Pole Position just ahead of his teammate in dramatic fashion. The Briton also revealed set-up changes made by the Silver Arrows which could help them convert that one-two in the race on Sunday.
Russell and Antonelli reveal Mercedes Canada Sprint talks
Photo: Race Pictures
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Speaking after Qualifying, Russell and Antonelli revealed what was said within the team in the hour between Saturday's two sessions, clarifying that their bond remains strong and that the scrap won't affect their respect for each other going forward. Antonelli said: "We had a discussion and we clarified and now it's all good. So we've reviewed, we had a chat with Toto [Wolff] and it's all good now."
Russell was quick to back his teammate up, adding: "Yes, as Kimi said, all good, had a good discussion and we know what we need to do and how we're going to race each other and nothing's going to change because we've always had that respect for one another.
"We're not going to wave anybody by, it doesn't matter if it's a competitor or a teammate. Of course, we know the number one rule is never to crash with your teammate. That isn't what happened this morning and we finished first and third. And that's what we'll continue to try and do."
Quizzed on who initiated the discussions, Russell said it was a collaborative effort at Mercedes, reiterating that the pair's battle is now in the past, with the focus on Sunday's Grand Prix. "It was together," Russell said. "We're teammates and we have a good bond."
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"It was obvious that we needed to have a chat, but when the helmet's on, that's one thing, and out of the car, we're both professionals. It was no real big deal afterwards and of course there's always emotions in in the cockpit nothing is personal when it's on track. For us now, it's history and we just look forward.
'We're not in kindergarten' Russell looks to Vettel after Mercedes clash
Photo: Race Pictures
28-year-old Russell was then specifically asked if he could appreciate Antonelli's frustration as the senior driver at Mercedes, but Russell admitted he would have reacted the same way as his teenage teammate.
Russell said: "For sure and you know even being 28 years old, if i was in his position and he was in my position I probably would have reacted the same, because if something doesn't pay off in the moment, and you feel like you've been hard done by, you think the other guy's in the wrong, and that's just natural.
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The Briton then invoked Sebastian Vettel's infamous Belgian GP quote from 2016, that "we're not in kindergarten." Russell said: "We're racers, we're fighters, and we wear our heart on our sleeve, you know, it's just part of racing. As we always say as F1 drivers, you put a microphone on the 22 footballers on the field, and they get a bad tackle or whatever, they're not going to say, thank you very much."
"We're just in this tough position that everything we think and we feel is broadcasted to the world. We don't regret anything we say. Of course, maybe you wish you said something different, but we're here to fight. It's not as Sebastien Vettel says, we're not in kindergarten."
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Canadian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 22.05.26
Practice 1
04:30 PM
Sprint Qualification
08:30 PM
Saturday 23.05.26
Sprint Race
04:00 PM
Qualification
08:00 PM
Sunday 24.05.26
Race
08:00 PM
Friday 22.05.26
Practice 1
Fri 04:30 PM
Sprint Qualification
Fri 08:30 PM
Saturday 23.05.26
Sprint Race
Sat 04:00 PM
Qualification
Sat 08:00 PM
Sunday 24.05.26
Race
Sun 08:00 PM
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