Russell humorously remarked that Kimi "shouldn't have said that."

      Toto Wolff dismissed claims that Mercedes held an "emergency" technical meeting between Spa and Hungary, even though Kimi Antonelli revealed that the team reverted to its previous rear suspension for this weekend's race. The 18-year-old rookie, facing mounting pressure after a difficult series of performances, inadvertently informed the media that Mercedes chose to abandon the problematic rear axle introduced in recent races. "That had to be kept secret!" teammate George Russell joked.

      Wolff was quick to downplay any notions of panic within the team at Brackley. "It’s always such nonsense - all this talk of an ’emergency meeting’," the team principal stated. "We hold a meeting every week to evaluate the car’s current capabilities and identify potential areas for improvement. One such meeting took place last week as planned, with the drivers in attendance. We have these meetings regularly, every few months. This was a significant meeting and it was quite insightful."

      Regardless of the meeting's nature, the decision to revert to the old suspension seems to have yielded positive results. Wolff explained, "The issue with the new rear axle was that the rear end was completely unstable. It didn’t inspire confidence in the drivers. Both drivers report that the problem has vanished. Much better."

      Nevertheless, the pressure on Antonelli persists. After observing the teenager in tears during his Spa weekend, Sky F1 analyst Martin Brundle commented that he would likely have been "fired" by now if he were with Red Bull.

      Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko highlighted the structural differences, stating, "Our juniors first drive for the Racing Bulls and aren’t subjected to the immediate pressures of F1. We also don’t build hype around a young driver before they reach an F1 car." When asked about Antonelli, Marko remarked, "He’s very fast, but still very young. In Spa, he expressed to me that he lacks confidence in the car, and the moment he pushes, he loses control. It’s more of a mental issue."

      He added that the Mercedes, similar to the Red Bull, is very sensitive and aggressive when operating outside its narrow working window, which is more manageable for seasoned drivers like Russell. "Kimi just needs time to recover," Marko stated. "But fortunately, Mercedes doesn’t have the luxury of a second team."