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Wolff keen to avoid repeat of bitter Hamilton-Rosberg amid 2026 domination

Photo: Race Pictures

20:00, 16 Mar

byHenry Eccles

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is hopeful a potential title battle between drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will not see the same level of animosity as between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg during their rivalry in the 2010s.

Following his first-ever Grand Prix win in Shanghai, Antonelli is four points off title favourite Russell, with many now wondering whether the 19-year-old can challenge his more seasoned teammate for the 2026 title.

An intra-Mercedes fight for the Drivers' title will not doubt evoke memories of the tense battle between friends-turned-enemies Hamilton and Rosberg, but Wolff is confident the dynamic between his two Mercedes juniors is "totally different."

Hamilton-Rosberg 'completely different' to Russell-Antonelli, says Wolff

Photo: Race Pictures

Speaking to media, including GPblog, after the Chinese GP, Wolff was asked if Mercedes could avoid another Hamilton-Rosberg situation should Antonelli battle Russell for the world title.

"Yeah, so [Hamilton-Rosberg] is completely different. I mean, Nico and Lewis knew each other from karting, from the early days, being friends, but also having this social fight that was always ingrained in there.

"And then what was a friendship became, a rivalry, then animosity, and it was two very different characters."

Wolff is confident the situation between Russell and Antonelli will be more harmonious, but is still aware the elbows could one day "come out" and leave him biting his tongue.

"But having said that, you just need to appreciate that the drivers are here and are like they are in order to win races and championships and the moment you sniff that, obviously then the elbows come out.

"That's something that the team needs to manage. But both of them are Mercedes juniors, we've been responsible for their trajectory since they've come into single seaters, Kimi even in karting.

"So I feel at that stage, and maybe I'm going to bite my tongue one day, I feel that we're in a totally different situation."

Wolff dampens Antonelli title frenzy despite dominant maiden F1 win

While the Austrian boss appears ready to handle a title skirmish between his two drivers, he has poured cold water on the hype surrounding a potential Antonelli championship challenge.

The Mercedes team principal says the Silver Arrows drivers have "equal opportunity" but pinpointed where the young Italian may have to improve to boost his title hopes following his win in China.

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