For now, Mercedes has no plans to give Kimi Antonelli preferential treatment to help secure his first Formula 1 world championship, despite what happened in the 2025 ******* le battle between the two McLaren drivers and Max Verstappen. The team confirmed that winning the constructors' championship remains its primary target.
For most of the 2025 campaign, McLaren had the fastest car, and the constructors' ******* le was already wrapped up by the Singapore Grand Prix. However, the drivers' ******* le nearly slipped through the team's grasp.
The Woking-based team did not favour either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, and in the end, Verstappen nearly 'stole' the world ******* le, finishing just two points behind the Briton in the standings.
In 2026, Mercedes finds itself in a similar situation. At the moment, Antonelli leads the drivers' standings, but George Russell is not out of contention either. Lewis Hamilton is currently sitting in second place, and it is possible that the Mercedes drivers could take so many points off each other that, ultimately, the Ferrari driver could take advantage and win the biggest prize.
Nevertheless, Mercedes refuses to throw its full support behind Antonelli. "The simple principle is, if Mercedes can win the race, Mercedes must win the race. That comes first," deputy team principal Bradley Lord said in response to GPblog's question while speaking to a select group of media.
#title #first #World #championship
For most of the 2025 campaign, McLaren had the fastest car, and the constructors' ******* le was already wrapped up by the Singapore Grand Prix. However, the drivers' ******* le nearly slipped through the team's grasp.
The Woking-based team did not favour either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, and in the end, Verstappen nearly 'stole' the world ******* le, finishing just two points behind the Briton in the standings.
In 2026, Mercedes finds itself in a similar situation. At the moment, Antonelli leads the drivers' standings, but George Russell is not out of contention either. Lewis Hamilton is currently sitting in second place, and it is possible that the Mercedes drivers could take so many points off each other that, ultimately, the Ferrari driver could take advantage and win the biggest prize.
Nevertheless, Mercedes refuses to throw its full support behind Antonelli. "The simple principle is, if Mercedes can win the race, Mercedes must win the race. That comes first," deputy team principal Bradley Lord said in response to GPblog's question while speaking to a select group of media.
#title #first #World #championship
3 months ago
