‘George is our future’ – Wolff praise Russell despite challenging 2023 season at Mercedes.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has underlined his faith in George Russell following the Briton’s mixed 2023 campaign, stating that there is no other young driver in F1 that he would want to sign instead.

After spending three years familiarizing himself with the environment at Williams, Russell made the move to Mercedes for the 2022 season.  

While the team faced challenges in adjusting to the sport’s new ground effect era, Russell’s accomplishments of securing his first pole position and winning Grand Prix races in Hungary and Brazil drew considerable attention.   

Russell proved superior to his seasoned teammate Lewis Hamilton during their initial encounter, but the situation reversed in the recent competition.   In this particular instance, the seven-time world champion outperformed Russell by securing six out of Mercedes’s eight podium finishes and acquiring an advantage of nearly 60 points in the drivers’ standings. 

However, following Hamilton’s s

With Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025, Russell might become a key figure in Mercedes’ future, as supported by Wolff. In an extensive interview with The Telegraph before Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari was revealed, Wolff disregarded Russell’s challenges and emphasized that he has fully met the team’s expectations. 

George is our future, and you know, when I look at all the young men, of the current Formula 1 drivers, he’s the one I would want to have in a car,” said Wolff, with Russell signed up at Mercedes through 2025.

Russell himself recently took time to reflect on the year gone by, explaining that he will be using the winter break for a thorough analysis after feeling that he “upped my game” in terms of qualifying and race pace but did not necessarily have the results to show for it.

  Russell stated that throughout the season, there have been instances of having significant speed, yet they have not obtained the outcomes that he believed were warranted or feasible.   Therefore, it is imperative for them to analyze and comprehend the reasons behind this.  

There have been numerous missed chances in various aspects, resulting in a season that has not been seamless.   However, I believe that when everything is in sync and functioning well, fortune tends to favor you.”  

“When you find yourself in a disadvantaged position, unfortunate events often occur.   I personally do not place much faith in luck, as I believe that individuals create their own fortunate circumstances.   Therefore, we simply need to increase our speed and good fortune will align with us.”   

Regarding how Mercedes may perform in 2024 – and after previously likening the challenge of returning to victory in F1 to climbing Mount Everest, given Red Bull’s recent dominance – Wolff conveyed a heightened sense of positivity as the upcoming season draws nearer. 

“He stated that one should always maintain a belief in the possibility of achieving success.   It is essential not to begin a season with a negative attitude, thinking that achieving success is impossible.   He pointed out the example of McLaren, who made a significant improvement last year with just a single upgrade.”    Mercedes, who had won the constructors’ championship for eight consecutive years from 2014 to 2021, experienced a decline in performance in 2022 and 2023 by finishing third and second.   Additionally, it was the first time since 2011 that they completed a full season without achieving a race win.