Wolff gives verdict on Mercedes' close intra-team battle

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What is F1 TV?F1 GlossaryGet involved2026 RegulationsNewsVideosWolff gives verdict on Mercedes' close intra-team battleHamilton gets your Driver of the Day vote in CanadaRussell in ‘disbelief’ over dramatic Canadian GP retirementAntonelli wins dramatic Canadian GP as Russell retires Play1:02‘As a team we’ve done an amazing job’ – Colapinto ‘really proud’ with his best ever result 1:30Gasly happy with ‘damage limitation’ of P8 finish in Montreal Alexander AlbonFernando AlonsoKimi AntonelliOliver BearmanGabriel BortoletoValtteri BottasFranco ColapintoPierre GaslyIsack HadjarLewis HamiltonNico HulkenbergLiam LawsonCharles LeclercArvid LindbladLando NorrisEsteban OconSergio PerezOscar PiastriGeorge RussellCarlos SainzLance StrollMax VerstappenAll Drivers Hall of FameTeamsChevron DropdownAlpineAston MartinAudiCadillacFerrariHaas F1 TeamMcLarenMercedesRacing BullsRed Bull RacingWilliamsAll TeamsFantasy & GamingChevron DropdownF1 Sim RacingFantasyF1 25F1 Manager 24F1 PredictF1 ClashF1 Members' AreaMenuFIA if(window.f1MobileDetection.iOSSafari) { var meta = document.createElement("meta"); meta.name = "apple-itunes-app"; meta.content = "app-id=835022598, app-argument=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/just-acceptable-wolff-gives-verdict-on-mercedes-intra-team-battle-after-bittersweet-canadian-grand-prix.5EEzhz3nYYEByvj76y2HuW.5EEzhz3nYYEByvj76y2HuW"; document.head.appendChild(meta); } {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/just-acceptable-wolff-gives-verdict-on-mercedes-intra-team-battle-after-bittersweet-canadian-grand-prix.5EEzhz3nYYEByvj76y2HuW","url":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/just-acceptable-wolff-gives-verdict-on-mercedes-intra-team-battle-after-bittersweet-canadian-grand-prix.5EEzhz3nYYEByvj76y2HuW","mainEntityOfPage":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/just-acceptable-wolff-gives-verdict-on-mercedes-intra-team-battle-after-bittersweet-canadian-grand-prix.5EEzhz3nYYEByvj76y2HuW","datePublished":"2026-05-24T23:17:04.739Z","dateModified":"2026-05-24T23:17:04.739Z","headline":"'Just acceptable' – Toto Wolff gives verdict on Mercedes intra-team battle after 'bittersweet' 2026 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix","author":"F1","description":"Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff believes that the intense battle between drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell for the lead in the Canadian Grand Prix was \"just acceptable\".","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://media.formula1.com/image/upload/t_16by9Centre/f_auto/q_auto/v1779656640/trackside-images/2026/F1_Grand_Prix_of_Canada/2278025458.jpg"},"isAccessibleForFree":"true","publisher":{"@type":"SportsOrganization","@id":"https://www.formula1.com#organization","name":"Formula 1","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.formula1.com/etc/designs/fom-website/social/f1-default-share.jpg","width":"480","height":"120"}}}Toto WolffMercedesCanadaShow more tags'Just acceptable' – Wolff gives verdict on Mercedes' intra-team battle after 'bittersweet' Canadian Grand PrixToto Wolff watched his drivers battle hard for victory in the Canadian Grand Prix. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff believes that the intense battle between drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell for the lead in the Canadian Grand Prix was "just acceptable". The Mercedes duo engaged in a thrilling tussle during the early stages of the 68-lap race in Montreal, as the pair went wheel-to-wheel and traded the lead several times. Their personal battle only came to an end when Russell was forced to retire on Lap 30 due to a power unit problem, with Antonelli left clear to take his fourth Grand Prix win in succession. "It was just acceptable. I think probably 10% less battling would have made us all happier but it's okay," said Wolff on the fight between his drivers. The latest on-track battle came after Russell and Antonelli also fought for the win in Saturday's Sprint, with Antonelli unhappy about a Turn 1 move that left him on the grass. On Saturday, Wolff had stated that "I don't want to hold him back" regarding Antonelli's fighting spirit, but confirmed post-race on Sunday that the latest flashpoint would be discussed ahead of the next race in Monaco. "I think first we need to calm things down," said Wolff. "Also make sure George is in a good head space, or a better head space, and then discuss it with them. We always want to be transparent." Antonelli's victory means he now holds a 43-point lead in the Drivers' standings after just five Grands Prix weekends, with Wolff stating that Sunday's result was bittersweet. "Obviously a win is a win and that is great. Kimi deserves it, but bittersweet for the team," added Wolff. "Obviously you had George who was leading the race and we let him down with failure. That is always difficult to cope, we'd rather see them racing like we did for the whole race and then figuring out on track who deserves to win." 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