‘Now it’s all good’ says Antonelli after Canadian GP sprint fight with Russell

Mercedes championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, has confirmed everything is ‘all good’ between himself and teammate George Russell after their on-track battle at the Canadian Grand Prix sprint.

Feature image credit: Mercedes F1

Mercedes found themselves in an uncomfortable position during the Canadian Grand Prix sprint race after their two drivers endured a spicy wheel-to-wheel fight out on track at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. However, Antonelli has confirmed everything is ‘all good’ now between himself and Russell.

The championship leader voiced his frustration over the team radio, after complaining about Russell’s racecraft, when the British driver seemingly pushed the Italian off the circuit at turn two, which eventually forced team boss Toto Wolff to jump in.

However, after qualifying, where Russell pipped Antonelli to the top spot, the Italian star confirmed everything was okay going forward. He said:

“Well, no. We had a discussion and we clarified and now it’s all good.

“So we’ve reviewed and we had a chat with Toto, and it’s all good now.”

“It came from nowhere” – Russell reacts to dramatic Canadian pole

This was echoed by Russell, who confirmed the two drivers know what they need to do going forward and how they’re going to race each other.

Despite this, Russell claimed ‘nothing’s going to change’ as the pair have respect for each other and understand they’re not going to wave anyone past, regardless to being a competitor or a teammate. He said:

“Yeah, 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, doesn’t matter if he’s a competitor or a teammate.

“Of course, we know the number one rule is never to crash with your team-mate. That isn’t what happened this morning and we finished first and third and that’s what we’ll continue to try and do.”

Russell and Antonelli will be lined up on the front row together as the Briton looks to make inroads into the Italian’s championship lead, but they will have the fast pair of McLaren’s behind them, who start on the second row of the grid.

The Canadian Grand Prix will get underway at 4pm local time (9pm BST).

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Leclerc unable to explain pace deficit to Hamilton in Montreal
• Hamilton says Ferrari finally allows him to “feel like myself”
• “It came from nowhere” – Russell reacts to dramatic Canadian pole
• Sainz says Williams “underdelivered” after Canadian qualifying setback
• George Russell takes Canadian Grand Prix pole with Mercedes front row
• Russell takes Canada GP sprint victory as Antonelli disagrees
• Steward’s grant Lawson and Albon permission to race in Canadian Sprint

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.