Wolff backs 'underrated' Russell as Mercedes’ long-term leader

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made it clear that the team has every intention of retaining George Russell for the long term.

With the 2026 driver market largely settled among F1’s top teams except for Russell’s contract, speculation has been rife regarding potential alternatives, with rumors linking Max Verstappen to Mercedes continuing to linger.

However, speaking in an interview with Motorsport.com, Wolff emphasized that negotiations with Russell are progressing as expected as the Briton remains a cornerstone of Mercedes’ plans.

"Yes, absolutely. I mean, it is almost an open secret that we have every intention to keep our drivers for the long term? “ Wolff said.

“We are not disclosing every discussion that we have with the drivers and that is why this is going in the direction that it should go."

While rumors about a possible Verstappen move persist, Wolff agreed that securing Russell’s future with Mercedes would put an end to such speculation. Still, contract negotiations involve more than just a simple agreement.

"Yes, exactly. But there is more to any contract than just giving a driver the fixed guarantee that he is going to be in the car,” he explained.

“There are terms to it that you need to discuss for the best interest of the team and the driver, so it is a structured process."

Russell: The Underrated Benchmark

Despite Russell’s consistent performances, Wolff acknowledged the F1 paddock’s tendency to overlook him.

“Why is he underrated? I don’t know. He is a top, top driver and we are lucky to have him,” he asserted. Russell’s role extends beyond his own results – he’s the yardstick for Mercedes’ next generation.

“The decision to take Kimi [Antonelli] on board, we dared to do it because we knew that we have George as a benchmark. The car doesn’t go much faster than George and we know where the car will be with George, and that is the benchmark for Kimi,” Wolff said, highlighting Russell’s critical role in shaping the team’s development.

Although Russell entered the Mercedes team at a time when its dominance was blown into oblivion by F1’s ground-effect rules, his performances against Hamilton – his own benchmark at the time – further confirmed his caliber.

“Exactly, he expected different. But you can also see George’s performance against Lewis, and today’s performance of Lewis against Charles Leclerc, clearly we are talking about a top driver,” Wolff stated.

A Bold Bet on Antonelli

The announcement in early 2024 of Hamilton’s abrupt move to Ferrari prompted an immediate pivot. And Wolff’s decision to promote Antonelli, a teenage prodigy, was as swift as it was daring.

“Absolutely. I think I never struggled with being confronted with a situation. ‘This is the fact, what next?’ And when Lewis said he was leaving, it was clear that this was ending,” he recalled.

“So, with all the respect to the 12 years we had and the friendship and the success that we had, my thinking went immediately into who is next in the car,” Wolff said.

Faced with a choice between a seasoned driver and a rookie, Wolff opted for youth. “And there is two schools here, you take a risk with your youngest that is deemed to be capable in Formula 1 or you bank a fast, current driver,” he explained.

Placing Antonelli elsewhere, like Williams, wasn’t an option. Nor did he favor a short-term deal with an established name.

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“So, taking up the young one, you either put him in another team, but any other team like Williams would have demanded at least a couple of years. So, this is what we didn’t want to commit to,” he noted.

“And on the other side, every driver that has proven their worth will undoubtedly not be at ease with a one-year contract. That was my thinking in the minutes after Lewis told me.”

Wolff’s decision to sign Antonelli underscores his confidence in the young driver’s potential while ensuring Mercedes remains competitive in the future.

By keeping Russell as the benchmark and investing in Antonelli’s growth, Mercedes is laying the groundwork for its next era in Formula 1.

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