Bradley Lord outlines Mercedes’ ‘biggest fear’ in title race as George Russell chases Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes chief Bradley Lord has revealed that car unreliability is the team's biggest fear in the 2026 Formula 1 championship battle between teammates Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Russell kept his title hopes alive after winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen, leaving him in contention with eight races remaining. Lord emphasized that the team's top priority is ensuring both cars reach the finish line cleanly.

Both drivers have already experienced mechanical setbacks this season, with Russell retiring from the Canadian Grand Prix and Antonelli suffering a DNF in Barcelona. Lord described managing the intra-team title fight as a luxury problem, noting that Mercedes wants the championship decided on merit rather than bad luck as the paddock heads into the next race weekend.