Russell’s Rise: Why Mercedes Doesn’t Need a Win to Believe in Their Star...

“Russell’s Rise: Why Mercedes Doesn’t Need a Win to Believe in Their Star…read more

George Russell’s stunning victory at the Canadian Grand Prix may have thrilled fans and energized the paddock, but for Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, it wasn’t a revelation — it was a reminder. Speaking after Russell’s dominant performance in Montreal, Wolff made it clear: the team doesn’t need victories to validate their belief in the 27-year-old Briton. Mercedes, he said, already “knows he can perform,” and the recent win has no direct impact on when the team plans to sign a new contract with him.

Russell claimed pole position on Saturday before turning it into a commanding victory on race day, marking both his and the team’s first win of the 2025 season. It was a particularly symbolic moment as it highlighted the beginning of a new era for the Silver Arrows — one where Russell is no longer the understudy to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, but the clear leader of the team.

Wolff, however, insisted that the win doesn’t change Mercedes’ long-term view of Russell. “He’s been with us for a long time and he’s growing continuously,” Wolff said. “The steps he’s made from that young driver at Williams to being on par with Lewis during tough times at Mercedes, and now naturally stepping into the senior role — it all speaks for itself.”

Indeed, Russell’s evolution has been shaped by years of commitment and consistent performance. Having been part of the Mercedes junior program since he was 16, he’s always been regarded as a long-term asset. His 2022 promotion from Williams to Mercedes was a strategic move for the future, and now with Hamilton off to Ferrari, Russell’s leadership has taken on new importance.

“There’s no politics here,” Wolff emphasized. “George has just earned his place. He didn’t need to fight for it in a boardroom — he proved it on the track. The atmosphere in the team is fantastic, and we’ve already agreed on a timeline to sort out his contract. With the upcoming triple headers in June and July, it’s a busy period, but we’ll get there.”

Russell’s current deal runs until the end of 2025, and while the media buzzed with questions about whether the Canadian GP victory would accelerate negotiations, Wolff dismissed the idea that a single race win could tilt the scales. “It’s not about winning a race. We already know he’s capable. This just confirmed what we already knew.”

The victory in Montreal was made even sweeter for Mercedes by the performance of rookie Kimi Antonelli, who secured his first career podium by finishing third. It was a statement weekend for the Brackley-based squad, signaling their return to competitive form and hinting at a future led by a potent Russell-Antonelli pairing.

One major storyline heading into Canada was the front-row showdown between Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Just a week earlier, the two clashed in Spain in a controversial incident that sparked debate and tension. Despite the anticipation, Wolff downplayed any suggestion that the previous clash had added fuel to Russell’s fire.

“These two have been racing each other since they were in go-karts,” Wolff noted. “They’ve shared track space for more than a decade and know each other off-track too. They’re different characters, different personalities, but both fierce competitors. I don’t think George drove differently because Max was beside him — every driver wants to be ahead, regardless of who’s next to them.”

With Russell showing maturity, leadership, and pace, it’s clear he’s not just filling a seat — he’s shaping the future of Mercedes. As the team rebuilds post-Hamilton, Wolff and the entire organization seem confident that the man to lead them back to championship glory is already in their garage.

“We’re not in a rush,” Wolff concluded. “We’ve got our timeline, and George is part of our family. This win didn’t change our view of him — it just reminded the world of what we’ve known all along.”