# Wolff hits back at Mercedes bias accusations

> Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff dismisses claims the team favours Kimi Antonelli over George Russell, calling critics brainless.
- Title: Wolff hits back at Mercedes bias accusations · BBC Sport
- Summary: Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff dismisses claims the team favours Kimi Antonelli over George Russell, calling critics brainless. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff…
- Keywords: toto wolff, george russell, kimi antonelli, mercedes, formula 1, singapore grand prix, bias accusations, sports, Wolff, hits, back, bias
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/cmje5x0enkxqo
- Published: 2026-10-09T13:24:12.084+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: toto wolff, george russell, kimi antonelli, mercedes, formula 1, singapore grand prix, bias accusations, sports
## Wolff rejects bias claims
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says critics who accuse the team of bias against George Russell are brainless. Russell's championship hopes were damaged by an engine failure at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia last Sunday.

> brainless
## Russell's difficult position
Russell enters this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix eighty six points behind team-mate Kimi Antonelli and will start from the back because of a grid penalty for using too many engine parts.
## Wolff defends equal treatment
Wolff described accusations of favouritism towards Antonelli as completely nonsensical. He said Mercedes has always provided both drivers equal material and questioned whether critics think he has a button to cause engine failures.

> Do they think I have a button that says, 'George engine failure now'
## Personal relationships with both drivers
Wolff emphasised his close personal relationships with both Russell and Antonelli, who are long-time proteges.
## Split car specifications at Singapore
Mercedes has decided to split the specification of its cars at Marina Bay after an upgrade in Malaysia last weekend failed to provide the expected performance step forward.
## Upgrade performance uncertain
Wolff said initial indications were that the new car seems a little more tricky to drive.The older car is more stable and grippy.
## Upgrade implications for two thousand twenty seven
Wolff said the success or otherwise of the upgrade, Mercedes' first significant change to the car's design since June, could have significant ramifications on Mercedes' preparations for two thousand twenty seven.
## Key takeaway

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff rejected accusations of bias against driver George Russell, saying critics are brainless and that the team treats both drivers equally.