2026 Dutch Grand Prix: Mercedes orders swap

Mercedes told George Russell to let Andrea Kimi Antonelli through late in the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, a move both drivers later accepted after the race.

Mercedes instructed George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli to swap positions in the closing laps of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. Formula1.com reported that Toto Wolff explained the call after the race, while Russell said he let Antonelli through and later accepted the decision.

Formula1.com also reported that Antonelli finished second after a difficult weekend in which he had lacked confidence in the car. RaceFans likewise reported that Russell described the move as fair, and Motorsport.com reported that he called the order the right decision.

The call had weight in the championship picture. Antonelli arrived at Zandvoort leading the 2026 drivers' championship on 242 points, with Russell second on 183; the Italian has 5 wins, 5 poles and 10 podiums from 33 Formula 1 entries, while Russell has 7 wins from 161 starts. Separately, BBC Sport reported Wolff said Mercedes could not match some rivals' development pace because of budget limits.