Russell 'needs to work harder' to retain his place at Mercedes.

      He must demonstrate to Toto, "You are the one we require."

      While some have praised George Russell's early performances in 2025, Ralf Schumacher believes he needs to accomplish more to secure a new contract with Mercedes. Amid ongoing rumors that Toto Wolff may still be courting Max Verstappen for 2026, it's noteworthy that Russell's contract has not yet been renewed. The 27-year-old Russell's early form, although understated, has garnered appreciation following the exit of team leader Lewis Hamilton. Team principal Wolff has labeled him the "low-key hero" of 2025 so far, stating he is performing "exactly how we anticipated." However, Schumacher expressed to Sky Deutschland that, while Russell's mistakes at Suzuka were minor, they hold significant weight.

      "In the end, it was the Russell we’ve often characterized - possessing great potential and speed, yet making errors," he said. "This needs to be viewed in that context." Schumacher remarked that the Briton "squandered" his crucial qualifying lap in the first sector, resulting in a suboptimal qualifying position and outcome. "The car was capable," noted the former grand prix winner. "For (Kimi) Antonelli, it’s still premature to expect too much, but Antonelli performed admirably overall."

      In Schumacher's view, if things remain the same, Russell may not be allowed to continue. "He must provide more, as that's what ultimately defines a world champion." He contrasted Russell’s performance with that of Max Verstappen, who won from pole in what was clearly not the best car, stating, "He managed to execute that flawlessly." Schumacher concluded, "If Russell wants to retain his spot at Mercedes, he needs to show Toto, ‘You are the one we need, the one capable of fighting for the championship, the one who can extract the maximum from the car.’"