Jul.5 (GMM) Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has again insisted George Russell remains part of the team’s plans despite another difficult weekend alongside teenage teammate Kimi Antonelli at Silverstone.
Russell appeared to be regaining momentum after being comprehensively outperformed by the 19-year-old for much of 2026 so far, but Antonelli won the sprint before securing pole position for Sunday’s British GP.
Russell, meanwhile, locked up and slid into the barriers during qualifying, and suggested afterwards that a lack of straight-line speed may have contributed to his struggles.
“I struggled all weekend to find speed on the straights,” the Briton said.
“If you look, my speed is much slower than the other Mercedes-powered cars.
“Will I win tomorrow? I don’t think so, especially given the problem we have with straight-line speed.”
Wolff, however, played down the suggestion that Russell’s car was suffering from a significant engine disadvantage.
“He was 50 milliseconds away on the straight,” the Austrian told Sky Italia.
“It’s crucial for a driver to know his car is as strong as the others.”
With speculation about Max Verstappen’s future continuing to link the Dutchman with Mercedes, Wolff also reiterated that he has no plans to alter his driver lineup.
“We don’t want to change,” he said.
The Mercedes team principal was, however, full of praise for Antonelli after another standout performance by the Italian youngster in just his second season on the grid.
“He has incredible mental clarity, he handles enormous pressure very well.”
“Kimi is special, what he can do from the start of the season and the ease with which he does it… he flies on that asphalt, it’s incredible.”
“There are many factors that come together: talent, speed from birth. You have to take care of it, develop it, the balance between pressure and support.
“There are multiple factors and every now and then they give you someone like Kimi.”
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