15/10/2025 18:15
Former F1 driver Derek Daly believes George Russell will have
doubts over his place within the Mercedes camp despite securing a
contract extension. Following months of speculation, Mercedes
communicated on Wednesday that Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli
will remain put next year. Russell's position within the team was
less clear earlier in the campaign as Mercedes chased the
possibility of signing Max Verstappen from Red Bull. The potential
arrival of the four-time champion raised doubts over Russell's
future with the team, as Antonelli is seen as a long-term project
for Mercedes. Russell's situation reminds Daly of the treatment
Daniel Ricciardo underwent when Verstappen was signed to partner
the Australian at Red Bull. "I think George Russell has amazing
speed," Daly exclusively told RacingNews365 . "Unfortunately, Toto
has now built a bit of a Daniel Riccardo[-like] resentment within
George Russell. "Toto Wolff has already told George Russell, 'Yeah,
you're good. We like you - but we'd change it in a heartbeat. "That
is, in essence, what Red Bull told Daniel Ricardo and I think it'll
take a bit of time to recover from that." Russell has been
Mercedes' lead performer this year, scoring two wins in the 18
rounds held so far and bagging almost three-quarters of the team's
points. However, the scepticism of Russell's place in the team has
left Daly to predict that it will result in added uncertainty in
the back of Russell's mind. "I have to think George Russell has the
little man in the back of his head saying 'I resent what they do',"
he said. "They didn't come out publicly and say, I'm the guy, I
beat Lewis Hamilton, I'm a clear leader in the team today, I've won
races in a car that I have to carry'. "The fascination of the sport
is - has Mercedes already built in a bit of instability because of
the lack of security their lead driver has to feel because of how
he's been treated on his contract renewal? "Can he become
emotionally neutral and forget it? Can you learn how to forget?
"It's like great golfers. Great golfers can learn how to forget.
Can George Russell learn how to forget that that ever happened?
"[Can he] be completely unburdened mentally to give everything he
can? "Maybe he can and end up being even more impressive."
