George Russell: Toto Wolff describes Mercedes driv...

Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff believes George Russell is among the many prime three drivers in F1 after his spectacular begin to 2025.

Russell has started the brand new season with back-to-back podiums in Australia and China to path championship chief Lando Norris by solely 9 factors.

The Mercedes driver is seen because the group chief after Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari and the latter’s alternative, Kimi Antonelli, in his rookie season.

After beginning on the entrance row on the Chinese language Grand Prix and practically snatching second from Norris within the race, when the latter suffered a brake concern, Wolff has been impressed.

“I by no means give 10 out of 10 as a result of I believe there’s all the time higher. We have not seen the proper race, however contemplating the circumstances that George had in China, it’s a 10 out of 10,” Wolff mentioned.

“He extracted the utmost of this automotive, the tyres, the technique, and it was a superb drive. All these discussions about Lewis, who’s the most important particular person within the sport leaving to Ferrari, is a good story, Kimi coming in because the youngest driver and the excessive potential, and little was mentioned about George.

“I all the time mentioned that is not proper as a result of he is one of many prime drivers on the market. In order for you me to call three that I contemplate to be the highest [drivers], he is completely amongst these three, if not prime two, and perhaps on his option to prime one.”

He added: “George is a warrior, within the automotive and out of doors of the automotive.”

Wolff: Russell is rattling McLaren cage

On the opening two races, Russell has half-jokingly taunted Norris throughout media actions, saying he was the title favorite, maybe to use strain on his compatriot.

In Australia, Russell acknowledged McLaren may “already change focus to 2026” and forward of the Chinese language Grand Prix he advised McLaren have a much bigger benefit over the remainder of the sector than Crimson Bull did of their dominant 2023 marketing campaign.

Oscar Piastri responded by saying Russell’s feedback had been “fairly farfetched” however Wolff backed his driver.

“He’s rattling the cage a bit extra! Based mostly on Melbourne, that was a legitimate assertion,” he mentioned.

“In China, we had been nearer and we have to analyse after just a few race weekends the place we’re as a result of on Saturday we’d have mentioned Ferrari’s dominance is again and as nice as ever, then on Sunday it was extra on the underwhelming aspect.

“So we have to not oscillate between exuberance and despair, actually from day after day, however after just a few races, form of discover a baseline and say that is what it’s now.”

Wolff refuses to debate Russell contract

Russell is the most high-profile driver who does not have a contract for 2026, though Wolff confirmed earlier this yr that Russell and Kimi Antonelli have “very sophisticated” offers, suggesting there are alternatives to increase.

The 27-year-old has been a part of the Mercedes household since 2017 as a junior, earlier than three seasons at Williams and joined the Mercedes F1 group in 2022.

“George is a Mercedes driver, so we love having him within the group,” mentioned Wolff after Sunday’s race in Shanghai.

“He was a junior driver and a Mercedes grown expertise. I’ve one thing to be pleased with and that is the place all my focus goes to.”

Components 1 heads to the long-lasting Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix on April 4-6, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime