Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has lauded George Russell, suggesting he ranks among the top three drivers in Formula 1 following a strong start to the 2025 season.
Russell has achieved consecutive podium finishes in Australia and China, positioning himself just nine points behind championship leader Lando Norris.
He is increasingly seen as the leading figure within the Mercedes team, especially after Lewis Hamilton`s departure to Ferrari and the arrival of rookie Kimi Antonelli.
Following the Chinese Grand Prix, where Russell started on the front row and nearly overtook Norris for second place, Wolff expressed his admiration.
“I rarely give a perfect score, as there`s always room for improvement. However, considering the challenges George faced in China, his performance was a perfect 10,” Wolff commented.
Wolff emphasized Russell`s comprehensive skill set, stating, “He maximized the car`s potential, managed the tyres effectively, executed the strategy flawlessly, resulting in a brilliant drive. Amidst discussions about Lewis`s high-profile move to Ferrari and Antonelli`s arrival as a promising young talent, George`s contributions have been somewhat overlooked.”
He further added, “I`ve consistently maintained that George is among the very best drivers. If I were to name the top three, he would undoubtedly be included, possibly even in the top two, and perhaps on his way to becoming number one.”
Wolff described Russell as a “warrior,” both on and off the track.
Wolff: Russell Pressuring McLaren
In a lighter vein, Russell has been playfully teasing Norris, suggesting McLaren should focus on their 2026 car development, seemingly to put pressure on his fellow Briton.
After the Australian race, Russell implied McLaren might shift their focus to 2026, and before the Chinese Grand Prix, he hinted that McLaren`s advantage over the competition might be even greater than Red Bull`s dominance in 2023.
Oscar Piastri responded to these remarks, calling them “pretty farfetched,” but Wolff supported Russell`s approach.
“He`s definitely stirring things up a bit more! Based on the Melbourne race, his comments were valid,” Wolff remarked.
“In China, we were closer, and we need to analyze the data from these initial races to get a clear picture. After Saturday`s performance, we might have thought Ferrari was back to their dominant form, but Sunday`s race painted a different picture. We need to avoid extreme highs and lows in our assessments and establish a baseline after a few races,” Wolff concluded.
Wolff Remains Silent on Russell`s Contract
Russell is the most prominent driver without a contract for 2026. While Wolff had previously indicated that both Russell and Antonelli have “complex” contracts, suggesting extension options, he avoided direct discussion about Russell`s contract status.
Russell has been associated with Mercedes since 2017, progressing through their junior program before spending three seasons with Williams and then joining the Mercedes F1 team in 2022.
“George is a Mercedes driver, and we are delighted to have him in our team,” Wolff stated after the race in Shanghai.
“He is a product of the Mercedes junior program, a talent we nurtured. I take pride in his development, and my focus remains on supporting him and the team.”
Wesley Dunham 
Gilbert Pendleton