Tensions flare between Mercedes teammates; Piastri starts fourth

After weeks of very cordial interactions, tensions began to rise between Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

During the sprint race, Antonelli put Russell under pressure on lap six, lapping on the outside, but the pair were able to make contact as the Italian struggled on the grass.

“That was very naughty. It’s not fair, he pushed me,” Antonelli said on the radio, adding: “This should be a punishment, I was next to the mirror.”

Wolff intervened, telling Antonelli to “please concentrate on the race and not on the radio whining”.

“If we need to race like this, it’s good to know,” Antonelli muttered on the radio, to which Wolff replied: “Kimi, now is not the time to talk about it. We talk about it internally, not on the radio, okay.”