{"id":2110902,"date":"2026-08-25T13:25:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T10:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2110902"},"modified":"2026-08-25T13:25:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T10:25:00","slug":"mercedes-explains-dutch-gp-team-orders-were-aimed-at-helping-george-russell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2110902","title":{"rendered":"Mercedes explains Dutch GP team orders were aimed at helping George Russell"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_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>Mercedes explains Dutch GP team orders were aimed at helping George Russell<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>George Russell put on an impressive display to protect third place from Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Sam Hall <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-08-25T14:25:00+01:00\">25 Aug 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:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_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>Russell finished in third place at the Dutch Grand Prix<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0XPB Images<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<aside>\n<div class=\"preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div>  Prefer Crash.Net on Google <\/div>\n<div> See our stories more often<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"button\">  Add <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Mercedes has explained its decision to intervene in the battle between its drivers at the Dutch Grand Prix by using team orders to promote Kimi Antonelli.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Russell joined eventual race winner Lando Norris as the only front-running drivers not to stop for fresh tyres during a late-race virtual safety car period. Although this decision left him open to an attack from behind, it also vaulted him briefly into second place.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Had he been able to maintain tyre life in the same way that Norris was, this could have seen him stand on the second step of the podium, but instead, team-mate Antonelli cruised up to his gearbox before the team instructed that the positions be switched, leaving him to fend off Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A post shared by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@mercedesamgf1)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"placeholder embed instagram\">\n<div>Loading this video will expose you to potential cookies and tracking by the provider<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Explaining the decision that put at risk a double-podium outcome, Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin told the Mercedes Debrief: &#8220;The VSC came out on lap 55, both Ferraris took it. So they were going to be on fresh rubber by the restart.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;On lap 56, we still had a window where we could get Kimi in and put him ahead of both of those Ferraris, which put him in a great position to finish ahead of them.<\/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>&#8220;And George, well, he was running P4 prior to that. Kimi dropped behind George after the stop. Now, why did we invert the cars? Well, that was really about saving George race time.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-fb7f8bcbd4c0f2a9c91f5ff39602d90f66aeafa8d4b784494a83d8bcc3bc937b\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>&#8216;We were always going to invert&#8217; &#8211; George Russell&#8217;s response to assertive Mercedes team orders<\/li>\n<li>Nico Rosberg drops verdict on Mercedes\u2019 Dutch GP F1 team orders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Kimi had the grip to get through, but if we allowed them to race each other, George would have lost time to the Ferraris and the Ferraris would have had more time to attack and try and get through. Now as it happened, George defended brilliantly and it was great to see him on the podium. He really deserved that result.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/m622603_f1_grand_prix_of_netherlands.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/m622603_f1_grand_prix_of_netherlands.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/m622603_f1_grand_prix_of_netherlands.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/m622603_f1_grand_prix_of_netherlands.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/m622603_f1_grand_prix_of_netherlands.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/m622603_f1_grand_prix_of_netherlands.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/m622603_f1_grand_prix_of_netherlands.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/m622603_f1_grand_prix_of_netherlands.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/m622603_f1_grand_prix_of_netherlands.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Russell waved Antonelli past<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Russell was aided in his defence of third place by a further virtual safety car intervention, which allowed some respite from constant defending into braking zones.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Turning to Russell&#8217;s performance, Shovlin added: &#8220;One of the highlights of the race was just seeing how brilliantly George defended against those Ferraris.<\/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>&#8220;There was no guarantee he was going to be able to hold those positions, and on a couple of occasions, Lewis looked like he was going to get down the inside. George did just enough to prevent it happening.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So really impressive, and honestly, he&#8217;s put together a really impressive weekend, start to finish, sprint pole, sprint victory, and very solid qualifying, and really smart racing. So good to see George getting back into it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Sign up for the Crash F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>George Russell put on an impressive display to protect third place from Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Mercedes has explained its decision to intervene in the battle between its drivers at the Dutch Grand Prix by using team orders to promote Kimi Antonelli.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Russell joined eventual race winner Lando Norris as the only front-running drivers not to stop for fresh tyres during a late-race virtual safety car period. Although this decision left him open to an attack from behind, it also vaulted him briefly into second place.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Had he been able to maintain tyre life in the same way that Norris was, this could have seen him stand on the second step of the podium, but instead, team-mate Antonelli cruised up to his gearbox before the team instructed that the positions be switched, leaving him to fend off Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Mercedes has explained its decision to intervene in the battle between its drivers at the Dutch Grand Prix by using team orders to promote Kimi Antonelli.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Russell joined eventual race winner Lando Norris as the only front-running drivers not to stop for fresh tyres during a late-race virtual safety car period. Although this decision left him open to an attack from behind, it also vaulted him briefly into second place.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Had he been able to maintain tyre life in the same way that Norris was, this could have seen him stand on the second step of the podium, but instead, team-mate Antonelli cruised up to his gearbox before the team instructed that the positions be switched, leaving him to fend off Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1102999\/1\/mercedes-explains-dutch-gp-team-orders-were-aimed-helping-george-russell&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-08\/xpb_1431734_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Mercedes explains Dutch GP team orders were aimed at helping George Russell George Russell put on an impressive display to protect third place from Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the Dutch Grand Prix. Sam Hall 25 Aug 2026 Share Russell finished in third place at the Dutch Grand Prix \u00a9\u00a0XPB [&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-2110902","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\/2110902","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=2110902"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2110902\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2110902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2110902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2110902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}