Shovlin: Russell and Antonelli can keep racing each other, subject to conditions
Russell and Antonelli remain free to race each other at Mercedes, as long as they stay within the team's limits. According to Andrew Shovlin, the prospect of victory helps both drivers perform at their best.
Mercedes has so far barely intervened in the on-track battles between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. That is according to Andrew Shovlin, the team's trackside engineering director, as reported by RacingNews365. In a publication dated 23 September, the outlet quotes his comments from the Nu Silver Arrows Radioshow. His starting point: as long as the drivers do what Mercedes asks of them, they are free to race each other.
Shovlin's argument is primarily about sporting performance. He believes both drivers should start every weekend thinking they can win, with the team's support. He expects this to help them get the best out of themselves. He therefore thinks this approach will probably benefit both the constructors' and drivers' championships.
The duels in Canada and at Monza show that Mercedes places limits on that freedom. RacingNews365 describes a battle for the lead lasting several laps in Canada and a fight between the team-mates for victory at Monza. According to Shovlin, Monza was easier to watch. In Canada, he felt the drivers went slightly further than the team would have liked.
The freedom to fight for victory does not, however, mean the two are also close in the title race. According to RacingNews365, Antonelli leads the championship by 81 points over Russell. That sizeable margin puts the impression of a head-to-head title fight into perspective, even though retirements or bad luck could still change the balance.
The specific rules Mercedes gives its drivers are not set out. Shovlin's explanation is therefore not a promise that the team will never intervene with team orders.
Sources 01
- SOURCEMercedes clarifies its position on the battle between Russell and AntonelliRacingNews365 Nederland · Source date as found: 2026-09-23
Source context
Based on a single RacingNews365 publication. The original radio show and the official championship standings have not been independently checked.
Claims and supporting evidence 4
This finding from the source must be read within the stated scope and source context. Mercedes' policy on racing between team-mates. Policy as presented in the publication of 23 September 2026. This is a policy statement relayed via RacingNews365, not a directly verified team statement. The freedom is conditional; the passage does not prove that Mercedes will never use team orders.
This finding from the source must be read within the stated scope and source context. Duels between the team-mates in Canada and at Monza. The Grands Prix in Canada and at Monza in the 2026 season under discussion. The description of the duels comes from RacingNews365. Shovlin's comparison is his assessment of the racing, not a finding that regulations were breached or a quantitative safety analysis.
This finding from the source must be read within the stated scope and source context. Antonelli–Russell championship position. Standings as reported on 23 September 2026. The points margin is taken solely from this publication and has not been checked against official standings. The possible change mentioned is a conditional scenario, not a prediction or a calculated probability of winning the title.
This finding from the source must be read within the stated scope and source context. Shovlin's sporting argument for allowing the drivers to race freely. Reasoning presented on 23 September 2026. This is Shovlin's expectation and justification for the policy. The source provides no measured comparison showing that free racing actually yields more points than team orders.
This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.