Russell’s glow-op: Wolff says quiet star no longer ‘underrated’

Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff says George Russell is finally being recognized for the top-tier talent he’s always been – even if it’s taken a few seasons for the rest of the world to catch up.

On Wednesday, Mercedes confirmed fresh contracts for both Russell and rising Italian prospect Kimi Antonelli, securing the pair through the 2026 season.

The announcement brought an end to months of speculation surrounding the team’s long-term driver plans — particularly after Wolff’s admission earlier this year that he had held preliminary talks with Max Verstappen.

Those discussions fizzled out once Verstappen reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull, paving the way for Mercedes to double down on its current stars.

“Always Underrated” Beside a Seven-Time Champion

For Wolff, Russell’s steady rise has been no surprise – even if others in the paddock have been slow to appreciate it, in large part due to Lewis Hamilton’s towering presence at Mercedes.

“First of all, I think there was so much hype around Lewis [Hamilton] leaving and an 18-year-old coming, and the risk that we were taking, but as a matter of fact, there was not so much risk because we had George,” Wolff explained, speaking at the Autosport Business Exchange in New York.

“And in a way, he was always underrated in all of those years, maybe because of his more introverted personality.”

That quiet demeanor, he suggested, has meant Russell hasn’t always drawn the spotlight – especially next to one of Formula 1’s most recognizable icons.

“And then obviously if your team-mate is Lewis Hamilton, you won't get a lot of, how can I say, percentage of eyeballs,” Wolff added.

Then came the punchline that drew laughter from those in attendance: “I mean if George would have bought into the fashion style of Lewis, maybe it would have given him more photos, but that's not how he is.”

A Bright Future with George and Kimi

While Wolff praised Russell for his growing presence on and off the track, he also laid out how Antonelli’s debut season fits into Mercedes’ long-term vision.

“So it was always good to know that we had George as one of the best drivers, and then bringing Kimi on was a long-term plan,” he said.

“We knew that giving him one year in the current regulations would be tough. Because all of these drivers have driven those ground effect cars.”

Antonelli’s introduction, he said, was always going to come with growing pains.

“The tyres are very tricky to understand, many race tracks that he hasn't been to, and then the enormous media pressure that comes up when you're an Italian. This country has been starved for a world champion since God knows, 50, 60 years, and all of that has happened,” he added.

Still, the early results have impressed Wolff.

“All of that led to good results. I think the highlight was certainly the pole in the sprint in Miami and the podium in Montreal, but also, to some very difficult races,” he said.

Lessons Learned, Confidence Renewed

Managing the glare of expectation has been part of the learning curve, both for Antonelli and the team.

“The media pressure was enormous in Europe, and I think we've learned the lesson,” Wolff admitted.

“We've shielded him a little bit, and the last two races were really good, back on track. Next year's gonna be a completely different starting point for him, having seen it all, having been there, and I'm sure it's gonna be a very good one.”

With Russell’s new contract inked and his stock rising, Wolff appears convinced the Briton has shaken off any lingering doubts about his place in Formula 1’s elite.

In a team entering a new era without Hamilton, Wolff’s faith in Russell is unmistakable – and perhaps, finally, universally shared.

Read also: Mercedes officially confirm Russell and Antonelli line-up for 2026

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