Wolff reiterates that drivers who do not wish to change.

Wolff reiterates that drivers who do not wish to change.

      Russell faces pressure as Wolff supports Antonelli

      Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has reaffirmed that George Russell is still a key part of the team’s future plans, despite experiencing another challenging weekend alongside his young teammate Kimi Antonelli at Silverstone. After struggling to keep pace with the 19-year-old for much of the 2026 season, Russell seemed to be regaining some momentum, but Antonelli won the sprint race and secured pole position for Sunday’s British GP.

      During qualifying, Russell faced difficulties as he locked up and crashed into the barriers, later suggesting that a lack of straight-line speed may have contributed to his performance issues. "I struggled all weekend to find speed on the straights," the British driver commented. "If you look, my speed is significantly slower than that of the other Mercedes-powered cars. Will I win tomorrow? I don’t think so, especially with the straight-line speed problems we're experiencing."

      However, Wolff downplayed any claims that Russell's car was at a severe disadvantage in engine performance. "He was just 50 milliseconds off on the straight," the Austrian remarked to Sky Italia. "It's essential for a driver to feel that their car is competitive with the others."

      Amid ongoing speculation about Max Verstappen's future and potential connections to Mercedes, Wolff emphasized that he has no intention of changing his driver lineup. "We don't want to change," he stated.

      Wolff also praised Antonelli for his impressive performances in only his second season in racing. "He possesses remarkable mental clarity and copes well with immense pressure. Kimi is exceptional; the way he manages to perform effortlessly from the start of the season is astonishing. He really takes off on that track; it’s remarkable."

      "There are numerous factors involved: natural talent, inherent speed. It needs to be nurtured and developed, balancing pressure with support. Many elements combine to occasionally produce someone like Kimi."

Wolff reiterates that drivers who do not wish to change.

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Wolff reiterates that drivers who do not wish to change.

Formula 1 | Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has reiterated that George Russell is still part of the team's future plans, despite experiencing another challenging weekend alongside the teenager (...).