According to Motorsport.com, the debate inside Mercedes has intensified after Hamilton moved back into contention, narrowing the gap to championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Hamilton changes the picture

Mercedes began the 2026 Formula 1 season in commanding form, winning the opening six Grands Prix and establishing Antonelli as the early title favourite.

That momentum has since been challenged by Ferrari. Hamilton, who endured a difficult 2025 season without a podium finish, has found form again after the team introduced a major upgrade package in Barcelona.

Since then, the seven-time world champion has taken podium finishes in China, Monaco and Canada, as well as victory in Barcelona. He now sits 41 points behind Antonelli in the standings and nine points ahead of George Russell.

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Barcelona exposes Mercedes dilemma

The Spanish Grand Prix brought Mercedes’ problem into sharp focus. Antonelli and Russell spent part of the race battling each other, with the team choosing not to intervene.

Mercedes later estimated that the duel cost them “five or six seconds”. Antonelli, running on hard tyres, appeared to have stronger pace than Russell, but was left to fight his way past on track.

The Italian eventually made the move with five laps remaining, after repeated warnings over track limits and reminders that the battle was helping McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Wolff signals possible rethink

Team principal Toto Wolff admitted after the race that Mercedes may need to look again at its approach when a rival team is directly involved.

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“That is something we will have to look at for future races when a new competitor comes in,” Wolff said. “Because when they are fighting each other it is fine, it can be very sporting, but when you are fighting against another car, then sometimes you may have to let the faster one through.”

The comments suggest Mercedes may be moving closer to using team orders more actively, particularly if Hamilton remains a serious threat in the championship.

Rosberg says Mercedes were too cautious

Former Mercedes driver and 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg was critical of the team’s handling of the situation in Barcelona.

Speaking to Sky Germany, Rosberg said Mercedes had been “too considerate of George” and argued that the team should have prioritised the race result once victory was at stake.

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He pointed to the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix, when he allowed Hamilton through to chase Daniel Ricciardo despite their fierce title rivalry. Rosberg said that when a team risks losing a win, its drivers have to work together.

Title fight may force a harder line

Mercedes’ position is complicated by reliability concerns as well as Hamilton’s improving form. Russell retired in Canada, while Antonelli failed to finish in Barcelona, leaving the team with little margin for wasted points.

For years, Mercedes have taken pride in allowing their drivers to race. But with Antonelli leading the championship and Hamilton closing quickly, that philosophy may soon face its sternest test of the season.

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