P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell was one of the stand-out performers across the F1 season, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has shared his thoughts on the Briton’s campaign.
According to Toto Wolff, Mercedes is fortunate to have George Russell racing for them, especially after his impressive 2025 Formula 1 season. Russell was a standout performer, finishing fourth in the championship with nine podiums and two wins. Despite facing a reliability issue in Monaco, he showed great consistency throughout the year. Following Lewis Hamilton’s departure, Russell seamlessly stepped into the team leader role, setting a high standard for his rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli. Wolff praised Russell’s outstanding performances, particularly his ability to excel even when the car wasn’t optimal. While Russell’s long-term future at Mercedes may be uncertain due to other driver options, Wolff believes the team is lucky to have him given his contributions to their success in the constructors’ championship.
