Toto Wolff has made his feelings clear on George Russell amid continued speculation that Max Verstappen could one day take the British driver’s seat at Mercedes
Toto Wolff has made his feelings clear on George Russell amid continued speculation that Max Verstappen could one day take the British driver’s seat at Mercedes Toto Wolff has made his feelings clear on George Russell amid continued speculation that Max Verstappen could one day take the British driver’s seat at Mercedes
Toto Wolff has made it clear George Russell remains in Mercedes’ long-term plans – despite suggestions he could be dumped by the Silver Arrows.
Prior to announcing teenage hotshot Kimi Antonelli as Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate for 2025, the Mercedes team principal spoke openly of his desire to sign Max Verstappen amid friction behind the scenes at Red Bull. That included tension between team boss Christian Horner and Max’s dad, Jos.
Wolff has held informal talks with the Verstappens and while a deal for 2025 was never likely, the lines of communications remain open between the parties. Mercedes’ continuing interest in the soon-to-be four-time world champion raises question marks over Russell’s future with the team.
Barring a disastrous first season for Antonelli, it’s almost impossible seeing the young Italian being dropped, given how much time Mercedes have put into preparing him for F1. Instead, Russell would probably be the driver to make way if Verstappen ever becomes available.
Although his current contract runs to the end of 2028, there are rumoured to be escape clauses. The Verstappen-to-Mercedes speculation has died down over the last couple of months, with Wolff stressing his commitment to Russell.
“Max is a huge talent and a unique personality in the paddock and who knows what could happen in the future?,” said the Austrian. “But for now, I’m excited about the future we’re building with Kimi and George.”
Wolff’s comments on Russell come days after former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner claimed Russell is fighting for his future in the team. The Brit was also warned that he could be the fallguy for Verstappen earlier on in the season by Nico Rosberg.
Speaking last week, Italian Steiner said Russell, compared to the departing Hamilton, needs to be more measured in his criticism of the team and car, which is currently the fourth fastest on grid behind McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari.
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“George has got all the interest to do to whatever is there to show that he’s the leader of the team for the future,” Steiner told the Red Flag podcast.
“He has to prove that, because he knows that because he knows that when his Mercedes contract is up, his seat is not 100% safe so he just tries to do his best, puts everything into it.
“And on the other side, Lewis doesn’t like the car and how it drives, knows that now in three races he’s not there anymore.”
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