Toto Wolff delivers Mercedes team order stance

Toto Wolff has indicated Mercedes may be prepared to implement team orders at some point in the F1 title race, but not for the foreseeable future.

After three races of 22, Mercedes leads the drivers' championship with its drivers being one-two, as Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by nine points after his victory in Japan, coupled with Russell's scrappy race to fourth. 

Antonelli has also out-qualified Russell 2-1, with the W17 proving to be the best package in qualifying with four front row lockouts, including in the China Sprint, and two one-two finishes in grands prix.

When asked if the team would implement team orders, Wolff did not rule out the possibility later in the season. 

"We are three races in, the car is good, so we need to continue to do a job, our job, and give them tools with which they can continue to win and fight for the positions," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365.

"Then, towards the end of the season, we're going to see how the points fall and whether anything needs to be done.

"But at this stage, both are absolutely off the leash, as long as there is always a margin between the cars, we are fine."