George Russell believes Mercedes made the correct strategic call despite losing the Italian Grand Prix to team-mate Kimi Antonelli at Monza. Russell led by one second when a Virtual Safety Car deployed with 25 laps remaining. Mercedes pitted Antonelli for medium tyres but left Russell on hards, creating a 15-second gap. Antonelli charged from sixth, overtook rivals, and passed Russell with three laps left to win his home race. The result extends Antonelli's championship lead to 66 points with 10 rounds remaining.

Russell told Sky Sports F1 the VSC timing was awkward and splitting strategies was the right team decision given Max Verstappen also pitted. "In hindsight... it's easy to say I should have pitted," Russell said. He felt he was holding his own before the stop.

Team principal Toto Wolff revealed Mercedes' systems predicted Russell's hard tyre strategy would be faster, expecting Antonelli to "come close but wouldn't catch." Wolff praised Antonelli's traffic management, comparing it to Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli arrived expecting to lose points to title rivals Russell, Hamilton, and Lando Norris but instead extended his advantage. Russell faces a future grid penalty due to engine allocation.