Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has spoken about the team’s view on Kimi Antonelli and George Russell going head-to-head in the F1 title race.

Mercedes have been the clear frontrunners over the first three rounds of the 2026 season, with both drivers picking up wins.

Russell kicked things off by taking the opener in Australia before Antonelli responded with consecutive victories in China and Japan.

That run has given Antonelli a nine-point lead heading into next week’s Miami Grand Prix, as Mercedes look to extend their early dominance.

Lord addressed the growing rivalry between Antonelli and Russell, saying that Mercedes are eager to see it play out over the course of the season.

He added that Mercedes wants their drivers to be intense and fully committed throughout the rest of the campaign. Speaking on the Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show, Lord said:

“And then, a brilliant fight between George and Kimi, and neither of them has had a smooth run through the weekend so far.

“So it would be fun as well to see if both get smooth FP1 and then how that sort of competition starts to shape up as well, because that rivalry as an F1 driver is always there.

“Your teammate is a colleague but also your biggest rival, and we know that that is going to continue to grow. It’s in a really good place at the moment, and we hope it will stay there too.

“But, we want it to be intense, and we want it to be all-out competition on track. So it’s going to be fun to get back to that as well.”

Going into 2026, most expected Russell’s experience to give him the edge in the championship race.

But after back-to-back wins for Antonelli, it’s clear he has the ability to push Russell all the way. The fight for the title looks set to be much closer than many anticipated.

Brundle, speaking to Sky Sports, advised Russell to approach Antonelli with the same level of respect he showed Hamilton during his prime years.

“It’s difficult times for George and he’s got to treat Kimi Antonelli just as if he’s Lewis Hamilton in his peak and a threat for the championship.”

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