Nico Rosberg offers 'disaster' verdict over Mercedes team order

Nico Rosberg believes George Russell would have been left 'hurting' by Mercedes team orders during the Dutch Grand Prix, as well as feeling it to be "a disaster" for his F1 title chances this season.

Given the way the race played out at Zandvoort, Russell found himself in second place behind McLaren's Lando Norris when the Haas of Esteban Ocon retired on lap 53 of the 72-lap race, sparking a virtual safety car.

Mercedes brought in Antonelli for soft rubber, which naturally allowed the 19-year-old championship leader to quickly close on his team-mate, albeit with the Ferrari duo of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in close attendance.

When Russell was asked to allow Antonelli by, he questioned the decision, believing that the prospect of a double podium was at risk as he knew he would be at the mercy of the Ferraris and likely drop out of the top three.

Russell ultimately did as he was told, though, yielding to Antonelli through Turn 1 on lap 66.

"The expectation at the time was that George was really going to struggle with pace, and the Ferraris would threaten not only his position but also Kimi's position if Kimi became stuck behind George," said Rosberg, speaking to Sky Sports F1. "So it really risked both positions at the same time.

"It's a tough one. It's really a horrible decision to make. I would not want to be in their position. And for George, if I were in his place, it would hurt so much. It would be a disaster.

"But it's somewhat understandable because I do know the team rules very precisely. Everybody has to follow them."

Mercedes call correct

Rosberg, the 2016 F1 champion with Mercedes, can fully appreciate how Russell would have been feeling given his own experience during his time with the team, notably during that year's Monaco Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old has absolutely no doubt the right call was made by the Mercedes pit wall on Sunday, one that allowed Antonelli to secure second place. Russell then performed superbly to hold off Hamilton and clinch the final podium place.

"It was fair at the time because if the result of the team is under threat, then the two drivers have to drive for the team," remarked Rosberg.

"In my time, I had to let Lewis pass once in Monaco, even though we were fighting for the championship against each other.

"Here [Zandvoort], the same situation: the team result was under threat by the two Ferraris behind, so you have to apply team orders, and they have to follow them.

"I think it was fair play, and George did a fantastic job to hold on to that third place."

Mercedes' decision resulted in a six-point swing in Antonelli's favour, leaving Russell 59 points behind the Italian, as was the case going into the weekend after initially shaving three points off his team-mate's advantage following Saturday's Sprint result.