Antonelli ‘caught by surprise’ by Mercedes team orders in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli has revealed that he was "caught by surprise" when Mercedes asked him and teammate George Russell to swap positions at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Italian moved over to allow Russell past and take P4 on the track on lap 41 after an exasperated Brit came over the team radio, believing he had much more pace to go and chase down Ollie Bearman in front of them.

However, the 27-year-old was unable to make a move past the Haas driver, and Russell returned the favour before the end of the Grand Prix to give Antonelli a P6 finish, while he finished in P7.

"I felt pretty comfortable, and I was on top of the management and was trying to save the tyres to have a better shot later," Antonelli explained to the Mexico City paddock.

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli during the Mexican Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

"But then the swap happened, and we kind of lost our shot a little bit to overtake Ollie.

"It is what it is, finishing P6. Obviously, it's a bit frustrating, but we'll focus on the next one."

Russell stated after the race that Mercedes "left it too long" to make a decision, while his hot-headedness over the team radio took Antonelli by surprise.

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"I didn't know he was asking that on the radio. I just got the information from the team to make the swap into Turn 4, which kind of caught me by surprise, initially.

“I respect their decision. Obviously, we need to review. I would like to understand the reason behind the decision in order to move forward. Now we'll focus on Brazil.”

There was also the belief from the teenager that Mercedes could have handled the situation better, with the swap between the pair of them coming just a few laps before the second round of pit stops.

“I really appreciate that from the team, because at least I got the position back. We need to review. Obviously, it's very easy to talk now, but if we had held position, we probably would have had a better chance to undercut Ollie.

"That probably would have had a better shot to finish P4 and P5. But, it's easy to talk now, and we just need to review in order not to make the same mistake.”

There was plenty more discourse from Antonelli's teammate after the Grand Prix in Mexico, with Russell branding the 71-lap event as a 'lawnmower race after a chaotic start on Lap 1.

George Russell and Max Verstappen shaking hands after the United States Grand Prix sprint race - Photo: Race Pictures

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