Mercedes chief Toto Wolff defended the team's decision to order Kimi Antonelli to let team-mate George Russell past during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Championship leader Lando Norris was running second to Max Verstappen with 16 laps remaining when Mercedes pitted Antonelli for fresh tyres under a virtual safety car, dropping him behind Russell. Despite closing on Russell, Antonelli struggled to overtake at Zandvoort and was instructed to yield second place.

Russell held off Charles Leclerc's Ferrari to secure the podium, but the gap between Norris and Verstappen grew to 59 points. Wolff told Sky Sports F1 the call was "not a difficult decision" internally, emphasizing the need to avoid losing time battling each other with two Ferraris close behind. He stressed the focus remains on the best team result for both constructors' and drivers' championships, noting both drivers understand this approach.

Antonelli initially questioned the order but complied, with Wolff insisting Antonelli was never close to catching Verstappen.