Will Buxton Claims Antonelli Steps Over The Line In Russell Title Rivalry

Kimi Antonelli has been accused of crossing acceptable boundaries in his fierce on-track battle with Mercedes team-mate George Russell, according to an F1 insider.
After five races of the 2026 season, the Mercedes garage has produced the two leading contenders for the drivers’ championship, with both drivers pushing hard for a maiden title.
Many had expected Russell to be the dominant force at Mercedes this year, but the senior driver has since admitted the dynamic has shifted in the other direction.
Antonelli currently sits 43 points clear of Russell in the standings heading into next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, putting the teenager firmly in control of the title race.
The pair were involved in an intense on-track battle during the Canadian Grand Prix, coming perilously close to making contact with one another during the opening half of the race.
Neither driver was willing to concede ground, with Russell managing to hold his position at the front of the pack before ultimately being forced to retire from the race.
That retirement handed Antonelli victory and a 25-point swing in the standings, extending the young Italian’s advantage over his more experienced team-mate.
Drive to Survive presenter Will Buxton has now weighed in on the pair’s racing approach, suggesting Antonelli has marginally exceeded what might reasonably be expected between team-mates.
“There are some very rough edges to his race craft, but I think that’s what makes him so exhilarating to watch,” Buxton told the Up To Speed podcast.
“He is imperfect and there are moments where he steps a little bit over the edge,” he added, acknowledging the fine line Antonelli frequently walks on track.
Buxton also noted that the closeness of the two Mercedes drivers is creating concern within the team itself, saying: “I can understand Toto being a bit wary because crash damage is a major consideration for that team now because those two drivers are getting so close to each other.”
The narrow streets of Monaco are unlikely to provide the same type of open racing that characterised their Canadian battle, with suggestions that Mercedes may not even be the quickest team around the Monte Carlo circuit.
Despite that possibility, neither Russell nor Antonelli is expected to give a single centimetre more than necessary as their championship fight continues to intensify with every passing race.
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