The message from Toto Wolff is clear: he has full confidence in his drivers. Speaking during a meeting with selected media outlets, including GP-News.net, the Mercedes team principal delivered a detailed assessment of the performances of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, confirming his satisfaction with the balance that has emerged within the Silver Arrows lineup. While the British driver has been described as the team’s reference point in the post-Hamilton era, Wolff also praised the steady development of the young Italian, stressing that the progress shown during the early phase of the 2026 season is perfectly in line with the team’s expectations.
Wolff praises Russell: “He is driving at a very high level”
Analyzing George Russell’s current form, Wolff explained that one of the qualities most appreciated within the team is the English driver’s mindset—his ability to constantly question himself and look for areas of improvement, especially when results do not fully reflect his potential. “One thing we have always tried to instill in our drivers is this: first you look at yourself and ask what you can do better. Only afterwards do you look outward. It is something George has always done,” said the Mercedes team principal.
After all, Russell himself is a product of the Mercedes junior program, having been brought into the works team after a formative period at Williams. “We were working with George already when he was a Williams junior, so we know very well his mental approach and the way he tackles his work.”
According to Toto Wolff, the results achieved so far do not fully reflect the level Russell has shown on track, with the driver from King’s Lynn often penalized by external circumstances that prevented him from capitalizing on key opportunities. “I have not seen many mistakes from him so far. Instead, I have seen races that went against him, which he could have won if a safety car had not appeared or if he had not been stuck in traffic,” Wolff explained.
This further strengthens the internal regard for Russell, who is now considered both a technical and sporting leader within the team. “When there has been something related to his performance that then led to an unfortunate situation or a negative result, he has been the first to address it. He is driving at a very high level.” The Mercedes team principal went even further, describing Russell as a central figure for the present of the team: “He is fundamental to the success of the team. He has great character and he is a Mercedes driver in the truest sense of the word.”
Antonelli: steady progress, but less pressure from the media
If Russell represents certainty, Kimi Antonelli embodies the future—but also the present—of Mercedes. Wolff spoke at length about the young Italian, while also urging everyone to maintain balance in both judgment and expectations. “We have always been very clear about our objectives with him. The first year was a learning year, so it was normal to expect very positive moments but also phases where everything could become more difficult.”
According to Toto Wolff, Kimi Antonelli is following exactly the path outlined by the team: “Now we are in the second year of his development and Kimi continues to improve in the way we had hoped and expected.”
An important point raised by Wolff concerns the media handling of the young driver from Bologna. “Obviously in Italy everyone already wants to talk about the world championship and comparisons with Senna are starting. It is something I do not like to read.” The reason is clear: to protect a very young talent from disproportionate expectations. “We are talking about a 19-year-old who has been in the spotlight from a very early stage. We need to lower the pressure and expectations, not increase them.”
Wolff: “Kimi does not need to prove anything to us”
Wolff also expressed satisfaction with how Antonelli is handling the step up to Formula 1 and the weight of attention that inevitably surrounds him. “He is managing everything very well. He has a very good personal environment around him and that is extremely important at this stage of his career.”
Within the team, Mercedes is following a clear approach: guiding him through his development by combining support with high expectations. “There are moments when we take him by the hand, and others when we raise the level of pressure and demand more. But overall, everything is going as we expected.” This balance, according to Wolff, is essential to transform raw talent into a complete top-level driver.
However, one key point must be made clear, according to the Austrian: Kimi Antonelli no longer needs to prove anything regarding his abilities. “He does not need to prove to us that he has speed. He does not need to prove to us that he has talent. He does not need to prove to us that he has the right character.” For Mercedes, the raw ingredients are already fully present. What remains is simply the time required to complete the development process. “Now it is just a matter of experience, and that comes with time.”
In summary, Toto Wolff’s dual approach to his driver pairing highlights a strategy of stability and protection. By positioning George Russell as the technical anchor and shielding Kimi Antonelli from premature comparisons to legends like Senna, Mercedes aims to foster an environment where both drivers can thrive as the 2026 season progresses.
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