Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has lauded George Russell, suggesting he is among the elite top three drivers in Formula 1, especially after his remarkable beginning to the 2025 season.
Russell has achieved consecutive podium finishes in Australia and China at the start of this season, positioning himself just nine points behind the current championship leader, Lando Norris.
Following Lewis Hamilton`s transition to Ferrari and the introduction of rookie Kimi Antonelli as his replacement, Russell is increasingly viewed as the leading figure within the Mercedes team.
After an impressive front-row start at the Chinese Grand Prix, where he nearly overtook Norris for second place due to a brake issue, Wolff expressed his admiration for Russell`s performance.
“I tend to avoid giving perfect scores because there`s always room for improvement. While we haven`t witnessed a flawless race yet, considering the challenges George faced in China, his performance was a perfect 10,” Wolff commented.
“He maximized the car`s potential, managed the tires effectively, executed the strategy brilliantly – it was truly an outstanding drive. Amidst discussions about Lewis`s high-profile move to Ferrari and Kimi`s arrival as a promising young talent, George hasn`t received enough recognition.”
Wolff continued, “I`ve consistently maintained that he is a top-tier driver. If you were to ask me to name the top drivers, he is definitely among the top three, possibly even top two, and perhaps on his way to becoming number one.”
He further added, “George is a true warrior, both on and off the track.”
Wolff: Russell Pressuring McLaren
In a light-hearted manner during media engagements at the initial races, Russell has playfully labeled Norris as the title favorite, possibly as a tactic to apply pressure on his fellow driver.
In Australia, Russell remarked that McLaren might “already shift their focus to 2026,” and prior to the Chinese Grand Prix, he implied McLaren possesses a more significant advantage over the competition compared to Red Bull`s dominant 2023 season.
Oscar Piastri countered Russell`s remarks, deeming them “quite farfetched,” but Wolff has shown support for his driver`s statements.
“He`s definitely stirring things up a bit more! Based on the Melbourne race, his statement was valid,” Wolff stated.
“In China, we were closer, and we need to analyze our position after a few race weekends. On Saturday, we might have concluded Ferrari`s dominance was back, yet on Sunday, their performance appeared less impressive.
“Therefore, we need to avoid oscillating between excessive optimism and pessimism daily and instead, after a few races, establish a baseline to understand our current standing.”
Wolff Declines to Discuss Russell`s Contract
Russell stands out as the most prominent driver without a contract for 2026, although Wolff had previously indicated that Russell and Kimi Antonelli have “very complex” agreements, hinting at potential extension options.
The 27-year-old has been associated with the Mercedes family since 2017 as a junior driver, followed by three seasons with Williams before joining the Mercedes F1 team in 2022.
“George is a Mercedes driver, and we value his presence in the team,” Wolff affirmed after the race in Shanghai.
“He is a talent nurtured within the Mercedes junior program. I take pride in his development, and that`s where my focus lies.”
