Mercedes address Rosberg vs Hamilton 2.0 concerns at Barcelona Grand Prix

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has responded to concerns that George Russell and Kimi Antonelli could cause a repeat of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at this weekend's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

10 years ago, Mercedes team-mates Hamilton and Rosberg headed into the 2016 race around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the midst of a battle for the drivers' championship, but their own ambitions got in the way of the team result.

On lap one, the two drivers collided, ending their participation in the race and allowing Max Verstappen to take home his maiden grand prix victory. Wolff recently revealed that he was so angry with the pair, that he temporarily sacked both drivers.

10 years later and Russell and Antonelli are the two Mercedes drivers fighting for the title, although Antonelli is 68 points ahead of the Brit heading into this weekend's race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The Canadian Grand Prix last month was the first time we'd really seen Antonelli and Russell battling it out wheel-to-wheel, and they were arguably close to the line in terms of what is acceptable between team-mates.

But Wolff and Mercedes have always been willing to let their drivers fight between themselves, as we of course saw with Hamilton and Rosberg.

READ MORE: FIA announces groundbreaking F1 engine changes in major U-turn

Will Russell v Antonelli end in tears for Mercedes?

Wolff was asked during the Sky Sports F1 live broadcast whether he was worried about his drivers repeating Hamilton and Rosberg's mistakes in Barcelona, following their battles in Canada.

"No, I like it," Wolff said. "I think we are having a different breed of drivers now, also different generation.

"Maybe that has come through the whole system you know Nico and Lewis were superstars when they joined the team already and George and Kimi were junior drivers.

"They understand the concept and as much as we want them to be real killers, which they are, they also are part of the wider understanding the mindset of the team."

The parallels with 10 years ago are clear for all to see, but Wolff will be desperately hoping that this weekend's Barcelona GP does not yield the same result.

READ MORE: New Max Verstappen contract clause revealed with Russell in danger at Mercedes

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

FIA confirms penalty verdicts on Norris, Mercedes stars and more at F1 Spanish Grand Prix

• Today 10:45

Lewis Hamilton F1 title dream OVER with Spanish Grand Prix retirement at Madring

• 1 hour ago

Lewis Hamilton blasted by Sky F1 expert at Spanish Grand Prix - 'You just don't do that'

• 2 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari engine change at F1 Spanish Grand Prix - Ted Kravitz

• Today 11:30

Mercedes F1 boss reveals Spanish GP tyre concern: 'Our strategy chief said six stops'

• Yesterday 21:15

F1 Standings 2026: Latest points leaders after Spanish Grand Prix drama at Madring

• 19 minutes ago