27/04/2025 13:00
Toto Wolff believes George Russell is now entering his "prime" in
F1 as talks over a new contract are set to take place. Russell
assumed duties as Mercedes team leader for 2025 after the departure
of Lewis Hamilton, who was replaced by 18-year-old rookie protege
Kimi Antonelli. From the five races thus far in 2025, Russell has
scored three podiums, including a fine drive to second in Bahrain
whilst battling multiple systems failures on-board the W16,
defeating Lando Norris in a final lap duel. The Briton is out of
contract at the end of the 2025 season, with the team being
heavily-linked to signing Max Verstappen from Red Bull. Should
Wolff manage to persuade Verstappen to swap Milton Keynes for
Brackley, Russell would likely be the driver to make way, but Wolff
insists he is happy with Russell's performances after making his
best-ever start to an F1 season. "What is so interesting is that
Lewis was always the very experienced driver here and the senior
driver," Wolff explained to The Athletic. "With George, it was
never like he was the puppy, but suddenly, Lewis has gone, and
George is in his prime, or at the beginning of his prime. "He is
clearly the senior driver in the team – that delivers, that
performs, that says the right things, and has taken over that role
from Lewis. "At the moment, where it is with George and Kimi,
there's no doubt to question that set up for the future. "There is
no stress, he is performing to the highest levels as we have hoped
and expected. "He is delivering, there is no doubt about that, and
there is not much more you could demand."
