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Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff is convinced that George Russell can step into the team leader role in the
Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, believes that George Russell has the potential to be the next lead driver for the team following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari. Despite a challenging season in 2024, Russell has shown his speed and talent while going head-to-head with Hamilton. Wolff feels comfortable knowing that they have a driver of Russell’s caliber and believes that his skillset doesn’t require them to rush the decision on his partner. Wolff also acknowledged that the timing of Hamilton’s departure has limited their options for a replacement, as drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris have already signed long-term deals with Ferrari and McLaren respectively. However, he expressed excitement about the future driver market and the potential pairings that could emerge for Mercedes and Russell.