Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has lauded George Russell, suggesting he is currently one of the top three Formula 1 drivers after his strong performances at the beginning of the 2025 season.
Russell has achieved consecutive podium finishes in Australia and China, positioning himself just nine points behind championship leader Lando Norris.
Following Lewis Hamilton`s departure to Ferrari and the arrival of rookie Kimi Antonelli, Russell is increasingly seen as the leading figure within the Mercedes team.
After a strong start on the front row 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.
Wolff commented, “I hesitate to give a perfect score because there`s always room for improvement. However, considering the challenges George faced in China, his performance was exceptional.”
He further elaborated, “George maximized the car`s potential, managed the tyres effectively, and executed a brilliant strategy. While discussions often revolve around Lewis`s high-profile move to Ferrari and Kimi`s exciting entry as a young talent, George`s contributions sometimes go underappreciated.”
Wolff emphasized, “I`ve consistently stated that George is among the elite drivers. If I were to name the top drivers, he is definitely in the top three, possibly even aiming for the number one spot.”
Wolff: Russell Pressuring McLaren
In a lighter vein, Russell has been playfully teasing Norris in media interactions, suggesting Norris is the title favorite, possibly as a psychological tactic.
During the Australian Grand Prix, Russell hinted that McLaren might need to shift their focus to the 2026 season. Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, he remarked that McLaren’s advantage over other teams might be greater than Red Bull`s dominance in 2023.
Oscar Piastri responded to these remarks as `pretty farfetched,` but Wolff supports his driver`s approach.
“He`s definitely stirring things up a bit!” Wolff remarked. “Based on the Melbourne race, his statement was justifiable. In China, we were closer, and we need to analyze our standing after a few more races. The performance levels seem to fluctuate significantly, so we need to establish a baseline after a few events.”
Wolff Avoids Russell Contract Talk
Russell is a prominent driver whose contract extends beyond 2025, although Wolff has indicated that both Russell and Antonelli have complex contracts with extension options.
Russell has been associated with Mercedes since 2017 as a junior driver, progressing through Williams for three seasons before joining the Mercedes F1 team in 2022.
Following the race in Shanghai, Wolff affirmed, “George is a Mercedes driver, and we value him highly within the team.”
He added, “He is a talent nurtured within the Mercedes program. I take pride in his development, and my focus remains on supporting him.”
