{"id":1870610,"date":"2026-04-07T12:37:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T09:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1870610"},"modified":"2026-04-07T12:37:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T09:37:23","slug":"toto-wolff-told-what-he-cant-do-as-mercedes-f1-title-tension-predicted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1870610","title":{"rendered":"Toto Wolff told what he can\u2019t do as Mercedes F1 title tension predicted"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Toto Wolff told what he can\u2019t do as Mercedes F1 title tension predicted<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>A former F1 winner believes things will get tense at Mercedes as the title race hots up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-07T13:37:23+01:00\">07 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Antonelli leads Russell after three races in F1 2026<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Toto Wolff has been told he \u201ccan\u2019t intervene with team orders\u201d amid Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and George Russell\u2019s developing Formula 1 title battle.<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli holds a nine-point advantage over team-mate Russell after claiming two victories from the opening three races of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<p>Russell, the pre-season title favourite, kicked off the campaign in style by winning the season-opener in Australia, before issues hit his Mercedes during qualifying in China.<\/p>\n<p>19-year-old Antonelli capitalised on his team-mate\u2019s misfortune to become F1\u2019s youngest-ever pole sitter, and second youngest winner in Shanghai, before the timing of a safety car at the Japanese Grand Prix helped the Italian teenager leapfrog Russell and make it back-to-back wins.<\/p>\n<p>Former Ferrari driver and four-time grand prix winner Eddie Irvine believes Antonelli, who is in just his second F1 season, has emerged as a \u201creal title contender\u201d.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cKimi is a real title contender, but it\u2019s still too early to make any predictions about how the season will end,\u201d Irvine told Gazzetta dello Sport.<\/p>\n<p>Asked if he expects incidents between Antonelli and Russell as their title fight intensifies, Irvine replied: \u201cI\u2019m 100% sure of it.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-148ba8165ef1e1ecdbfc9f16f6610de62aa66be9716aa3563ce8a8c5a2e0921b\">  Kimi Antonelli \u201cnot worrying\u201d about championship after taking F1 title lead, but should he?   Toto Wolff hails &#8216;unpredictable&#8217; Kimi Antonelli F1 win rate <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe stakes are too high, and the drivers have similar performances. Therefore, Toto Wolff can\u2019t intervene with team orders.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe experienced very tense situations when Lewis Hamilton battled with Nico Rosberg, and then with Max Verstappen. On the latter occasion, there was a bad accident at Silverstone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli was fast-tracked into F1 by Mercedes after just a single season in Formula 2 following seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton\u2019s shock switch to Ferrari for 2025.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-4369b03ef0e49a1798c349f50083aae8b73849f62dd3d64f265aad88906b718e\">  Mercedes chief thought Kimi Antonelli was a \u2018lost child\u2019 when they first met   Why George Russell isn&#8217;t worried about early F1 title battle momentum shift <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The youngster has been quick to dismiss talk of a title charge in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not thinking too much about the championship,\u201d Antonelli insisted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOf course it\u2019s great, but it\u2019s still a long way to go and need to keep raising the bar because, you know, George is very quick and for sure he\u2019s going to be back at his usual level, and also competitors eventually they will get closer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we need to keep our head down and keep raising the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Mercedes<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">George Russell<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Andrea Kimi Antonelli<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Why crucial F1 rules decisions won\u2019t be made in this week\u2019s meeting<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-02243668c198c27cc0a8f176ded8c5ff848cdcaa2d8696ab859e29015bfd0123\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-8a3015b7b922ffb3e670a5fb135c417cfe3d5ae4372d33a531f1f2c2c3d7df4c\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Why Mercedes is wary of F1 rivals despite unbeaten start to 2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775035927\"> 01\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404742_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Mercedes had a fight to win the Japanese Grand Prix\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Leclerc identifies what Ferrari need to do to catch Mercedes<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774960863\"> 31\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404671_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Leclerc says Ferrari's &quot;main weakness&quot; is its power unit \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>How likely is Max Verstappen quitting F1 and what are his options? <\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774951059\"> 31\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403785_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen faces a big decision over his F1 future\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Costly George Russell \u201cbug\u201d exposes true complexity of new F1 engines<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774883250\"> 30\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404714_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Russell had to settle with fourth in Japan\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Why Wolff doubts sparring partner Horner will return to F1<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774879413\"> 30\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202406280569.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Wolff and Horner endured a heated F1 rivalry \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Wolff pokes fun at botched start that left Antonelli \u201cvery mad\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774875049\"> 30\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404668_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Antonelli was critical of his race start in Japan \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>A former F1 winner believes things will get tense at Mercedes as the title race hots up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Toto Wolff has been told he \u201ccan\u2019t intervene with team orders\u201d amid Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and George Russell\u2019s developing Formula 1 title battle.<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli holds a nine-point advantage over team-mate Russell after claiming two victories from the opening three races of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<p>Russell, the pre-season title favourite, kicked off the campaign in style by winning the season-opener in Australia, before issues hit his Mercedes during qualifying in China.<\/p>\n<p>19-year-old Antonelli capitalised on his team-mate\u2019s misfortune to become F1\u2019s youngest-ever pole sitter, and second youngest winner in Shanghai, before the timing of a safety car at the Japanese Grand Prix helped the Italian teenager leapfrog Russell and make it back-to-back wins.<\/p>\n<p>Former Ferrari driver and four-time grand prix winner Eddie Irvine believes Antonelli, who is in just his second F1 season, has emerged as a \u201creal title contender\u201d.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cKimi is a real title contender, but it\u2019s still too early to make any predictions about how the season will end,\u201d Irvine told Gazzetta dello Sport.<\/p>\n<p>Asked if he expects incidents between Antonelli and Russell as their title fight intensifies, Irvine replied: \u201cI\u2019m 100% sure of it.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-148ba8165ef1e1ecdbfc9f16f6610de62aa66be9716aa3563ce8a8c5a2e0921b\">  Kimi Antonelli \u201cnot worrying\u201d about championship after taking F1 title lead, but should he?   Toto Wolff hails &#8216;unpredictable&#8217; Kimi Antonelli F1 win rate <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe stakes are too high, and the drivers have similar performances. Therefore, Toto Wolff can\u2019t intervene with team orders.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe experienced very tense situations when Lewis Hamilton battled with Nico Rosberg, and then with Max Verstappen. On the latter occasion, there was a bad accident at Silverstone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli was fast-tracked into F1 by Mercedes after just a single season in Formula 2 following seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton\u2019s shock switch to Ferrari for 2025.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-4369b03ef0e49a1798c349f50083aae8b73849f62dd3d64f265aad88906b718e\">  Mercedes chief thought Kimi Antonelli was a \u2018lost child\u2019 when they first met   Why George Russell isn&#8217;t worried about early F1 title battle momentum shift <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The youngster has been quick to dismiss talk of a title charge in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not thinking too much about the championship,\u201d Antonelli insisted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOf course it\u2019s great, but it\u2019s still a long way to go and need to keep raising the bar because, you know, George is very quick and for sure he\u2019s going to be back at his usual level, and also competitors eventually they will get closer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we need to keep our head down and keep raising the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Toto Wolff has been told he \u201ccan\u2019t intervene with team orders\u201d amid Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and George Russell\u2019s developing Formula 1 title battle.<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli holds a nine-point advantage over team-mate Russell after claiming two victories from the opening three races of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<p>Russell, the pre-season title favourite, kicked off the campaign in style by winning the season-opener in Australia, before issues hit his Mercedes during qualifying in China.<\/p>\n<p>19-year-old Antonelli capitalised on his team-mate\u2019s misfortune to become F1\u2019s youngest-ever pole sitter, and second youngest winner in Shanghai, before the timing of a safety car at the Japanese Grand Prix helped the Italian teenager leapfrog Russell and make it back-to-back wins.<\/p>\n<p>Former Ferrari driver and four-time grand prix winner Eddie Irvine believes Antonelli, who is in just his second F1 season, has emerged as a \u201creal title contender\u201d.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cKimi is a real title contender, but it\u2019s still too early to make any predictions about how the season will end,\u201d Irvine told Gazzetta dello Sport.<\/p>\n<p>Asked if he expects incidents between Antonelli and Russell as their title fight intensifies, Irvine replied: \u201cI\u2019m 100% sure of it.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-148ba8165ef1e1ecdbfc9f16f6610de62aa66be9716aa3563ce8a8c5a2e0921b\">  Kimi Antonelli \u201cnot worrying\u201d about championship after taking F1 title lead, but should he?   Toto Wolff hails &#8216;unpredictable&#8217; Kimi Antonelli F1 win rate <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe stakes are too high, and the drivers have similar performances. Therefore, Toto Wolff can\u2019t intervene with team orders.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe experienced very tense situations when Lewis Hamilton battled with Nico Rosberg, and then with Max Verstappen. On the latter occasion, there was a bad accident at Silverstone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli was fast-tracked into F1 by Mercedes after just a single season in Formula 2 following seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton\u2019s shock switch to Ferrari for 2025.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-4369b03ef0e49a1798c349f50083aae8b73849f62dd3d64f265aad88906b718e\">  Mercedes chief thought Kimi Antonelli was a \u2018lost child\u2019 when they first met   Why George Russell isn&#8217;t worried about early F1 title battle momentum shift <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The youngster has been quick to dismiss talk of a title charge in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not thinking too much about the championship,\u201d Antonelli insisted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOf course it\u2019s great, but it\u2019s still a long way to go and need to keep raising the bar because, you know, George is very quick and for sure he\u2019s going to be back at his usual level, and also competitors eventually they will get closer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we need to keep our head down and keep raising the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1092898\/1\/toto-wolff-told-what-he-cant-do-mercedes-f1-title-tension-predicted&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399570_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Toto Wolff told what he can\u2019t do as Mercedes F1 title tension predicted A former F1 winner believes things will get tense at Mercedes as the title race hots up. Lewis Larkam 07 Apr 2026 Share Antonelli leads Russell after three races in F1 2026 Add as a preferred source Toto Wolff [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1870610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1870610"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870610\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1870610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1870610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1870610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}