Mercedes held talks with drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli after their bumps in Canada, agreeing they can race freely as long as respect remains. The pair clashed in Montreal’s Sprint and Grand Prix, with Russell winning the Sprint but retiring on lap 30 in the main race. His engine failure drops him 43 points behind Antonelli.

Antonelli said the team wants both cars to finish and score as many points as possible, noting they race for themselves and for the 2000‑plus staff at Brackley and Brixworth. Russell added the championship remains open, calling Canada a bad‑luck episode and expressing confidence that he can keep fighting in Monaco.

With Antonelli’s fourth consecutive win and Russell’s Australian triumph, Mercedes remain unbeaten on Sundays in 2026. Monaco’s tight layout favors Ferrari’s mid‑speed corners, and Russell warned the power‑unit advantage shrinks on the street circuit. The team will review the damaged battery once it returns from Brixworth.

The upcoming Monaco GP, starting at 2pm on Sunday, will test Mercedes’ strategy as they aim to capitalize on the team’s recent dominance. Fans will watch the race live on Sky Sports, while teams prepare for the demanding street circuit that could swing the championship in the coming weeks.