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Toto Wolff Backs George Russell as ‘Underrated Star’ at Mercedes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 11:14 AM ET

Highlights:

Mercedes confirms George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026, ending speculation.
Wolff calls Russell “underrated,” overshadowed by Hamilton’s fame and quieter personality.
Antonelli praised for handling pressure; Mercedes confident in team’s foundation for 2026.

After months of paddock rumors and speculation linking Mercedes with Max Verstappen, team principal Toto Wolff confirmed that George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will continue with the Brackley squad into the 2026 F1 season.

The announcement, made on October 15, put to rest questions about Mercedes’ future driver lineup following Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari for 2025.

Wolff addressed the decision during the Autosport Business Exchange in New York, emphasizing that Russell has been a key figure in the team’s rebuilding phase despite not always receiving the recognition he deserves.

“George Has Always Been Underrated”

Speaking candidly, Wolff said the Briton’s calm and introverted personality has often caused his talent to be overlooked.

“There was so much hype around Lewis leaving an 18-year-old coming, but there wasn’t really much risk because we had George,” Wolff said. “He’s been underrated for years maybe because of his quieter personality.”

The Mercedes CEO added that sharing a garage with one of the sport’s greatest drivers naturally diverted attention away from Russell.

“If your teammate is Lewis Hamilton, you don’t get many eyeballs. Maybe if George had leaned into Lewis’s fashion style, he’d get more photos but that’s not who he is,” Wolff said.

Backing Kimi Antonelli Amid Pressure

Wolff also took time to discuss the team’s youngest star, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who recently completed his rookie season under intense scrutiny.

The 18-year-old Italian has faced enormous expectations, with Wolff noting that Italy’s decades-long wait for a F1 world champion only added to the pressure.

“This country has been starving for a world champion for 50,60 years,” Wolff said. “We knew this would be a tough season with new circuits, tricky tyres, and huge media attention. But he handled it.”

Despite early struggles, Wolff praised Antonelli’s progress, pointing to his sprint pole in Miami and podium in Montreal as standout moments. He added that Mercedes has since “shielded” the youngster more effectively to allow him to develop at his own pace.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With both Russell and Antonelli secured, Wolff expressed confidence that Mercedes is building the right foundation for F1’s next era of regulation changes in 2026.

“Next year will be a completely different starting point for both drivers,” he said. “They’ve seen it all, learned from it, and I’m sure it’s going to be a very good one.”

The move signals Mercedes’ long-term faith in Russell’s leadership and Antonelli’s future potential, marking a new chapter for the Silver Arrows.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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