Antonelli: The team does not want to introduce fighting rules.

      In the previous stage in Canada, Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell were engaged in a fierce battle, and were close to colliding several times. In Monaco, the championship leader Antonelli stated that the team does not want to restrict the drivers in their competition against each other.

      Kimi Antonelli: “We had a conversation after the race weekend, and then another one a couple of days before arriving in Monaco. We discussed the race and analyzed that we can race against each other as long as there is respect, and as long as you don’t put yourself in a situation that could harm you or both of you.

      The team does not want to impose fighting rules. I believe they want both cars to finish and earn as many points as possible. George and I feel the same way because we race not only for ourselves to win and be the best, but also for the team, to thank the more than two thousand people working at the bases in Brackley and Bricksworth.

      We want the team to win. We understand everything and will continue to fight each other, as in Canada, but with a bit more caution and wisdom. The team definitely wants us to race freely because that’s the right approach.

      You can’t keep a driver on a leash who is fighting for wins and a title. You can’t just tell him to back off. Although, of course, there may be situations where the team asks us to race without risk and dangerous situations.”

      Kimi also responded to George Russell's words that the fate of the title depends on Antonelli's actions.

      “I don’t pay much attention to my leadership because the season has just started, there are still 17 races ahead, and it’s too early to think or talk about the title,” Antonelli stated. “I try to get the most out of every time I get in the car. Let’s see what results this leads to at the end of the season.

      But I think it’s hard to talk about losing something if you don’t have it. I haven’t won the title. How can I lose something I haven’t achieved yet?”