Mercedes' CEO and team principal, Toto Wolff, has spoken in defense on his lead driver, George Russell, ahead of the 2025 season opener and backs his 'overshadowed' driver to take his place among the 'tough and brutal' drivers at the top of Formula One.
What does it like on at the sharp end of the grid? Wolff knows. "The drivers who are driving for a victory at the front are all tough and brutal and absolutely want that," says the Austrian in an interview with ORF.
Having taken the mantle from Lewis Hamilton, following the seven-time world champion's switch to Ferrari, the responsibility to lead now falls on Russell. Is he up to the task? "I don't think the heated battle may have changed much, but George wants to, and George doesn't put up with anything," states Wolff, before admitting that "it's the same on the other side," alluding to the clash at the end of the 2024 season between Russell and four-time world champion, Max Verstappen.
'Overshadowed' Russell ready for success
Russell's teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been brought in by Mercedes amid great expectation, as was Hamilton's announcement by Ferrari, which may have dimmed the shine on the now lead Mercedes driver's new role. "Of course, you see, or you forget, when you talk about Verstappen or Hamilton or even Andrea, what great successes George has had. He's a bit overshadowed by all these announcements."
After listing Russell's successes, Wolff is confident his driver can bring home the big results for the German team. "George is right at the front - and if we are able to give a fast car, then he will compete for a world championship. But we haven't managed to do that so far," he concludes.
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