Mercedes principal Toto Wolff believes George Russell is one of the top three drivers in F1 when he starts in 2025.

Russell started the new season at the back-to-back podium in Australia and China, dropping champion leader Lando Norris by just nine points.

The Mercedes driver was seen as team leader after moving Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari and the latter’s successor Kimi Antonelli in the rookie season.

Starting in the front row of the Chinese Grand Prix, he almost grabbed second place from Norris in the race, when the latter encountered brake problems, Wolf was impressed.

“I never gave 10 out of 10 because I think it’s always better. We haven’t seen the perfect game yet, but given George’s situation in China, it’s 10 out of 10.”

“He extracted the car, the tires, the strategy to the maximum extent, and it was a great motivation. All the discussions about Lewis, Lewis was the biggest person in the sport, leaving Ferrari, was a great story, a great story, Kimi as the youngest driver and the highest potential, very little for George.

“I always say it’s wrong because he’s one of the top drivers out there. If you want me to say three I think are top (drivers), then he’s definitely those three, if not the top two, maybe on his way.”

He added: “George is a fighter, outside the car and outside the car.”

Wolf: Russell is raking in McLaren cage

During two opening matches, Russell joked Norris in a media event, saying he was a title, perhaps putting pressure on his fellow countrymen.

Russell said in Australia that McLaren could “already shifted its focus to 2026” and before the Chinese Grand Prix, he believed McLaren had a greater advantage than elsewhere in the season, which was better than Red Bull had in its main 2023 campaign.

Oscar Piastri’s answer was that Russell’s remarks were “pretty far-fetched”, but Wolf supported his driver.

“He rattles even more in the cage! According to Melbourne, this is a valid statement.”

“In China, we’re closer, we need to do the analysis after a few match weekends, because on Saturday we’d say Ferrari’s dominance is back, as great as ever, and then on Sunday, it’s more overwhelming.

“So we don’t need to oscillate between vigorous and depression every day, but after a few matches, we found the baseline and said that’s the present.”

Wolf refuses to discuss Russell’s contract

Russell is The most eye-catching driver, no contract for 2026Although Wolff confirmed a “very complex” deal between Russell and Kimi Antonelli earlier this year, it suggests there are options that can be expanded.

The 27-year-old has been part of the Mercedes family since 2017, ahead of Williams’ three seasons and joined the Mercedes F1 team in 2022.

“George is the Mercedes driver, so we like to have him on the team,” Wolf said after the game in Shanghai on Sunday.

“He’s a junior driver and a talent for Mercedes growing up. I have some people to be proud of and that’s all my attention.”

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