Wolff expects Russell to fight back

George Russell may have lost ground in Miami, but Mercedes is treating it as a setback rather than a turning point in the championship fight. 

Team principal Toto Wolff believes the Briton still has it in him to respond, even after slipping 20 points behind teammate Kimi Antonelli in the standings, insisting Russell has the mentality and experience needed to stay firmly in the title battle.

Wolff described Russell as a driver who refuses to sit comfortably after a disappointing weekend, pointing to the competitive edge he has carried since his karting days. 

He said: “George is a killer. What makes him so good is that he never stops fighting or attacking. I’ve seen him throughout his career in junior formulas and karting, and here (in F1). He’s going for this and won’t leave a stone unturned.

“I have no doubt the two of them will fight for points throughout the season.”

The Miami Grand Prix brought the spotlight heavily on Antonelli after the young Italian secured another victory and extended his lead at the top of the standings. 

Russell, meanwhile, was left chasing points and is currently second on the rankings. 

But internally, Mercedes do not see the gap as decisive this early in the season. 

Wolff expects Russell to come back much stronger in Canada, a circuit where he performed well previously and where Mercedes believes its package should again be competitive.

Mercedes is also continuing with their policy of allowing both drivers to race freely. There are no team orders in place to protect Antonelli’s lead or limit Russell’s opportunities, something Wolff sees as important for maintaining intensity inside the garage. 

The Austrian believes a proper championship fight requires both drivers pushing flat out rather than managing positions for political reasons.

That approach could make the intra-team battle even more intense over the coming races. 

Antonelli has been the standout story of the season so far, but Russell remains the more experienced driver and still one of the sharpest qualifiers on the grid. 

Mercedes expects him to respond by pushing harder in race management, tyre strategy, and wheel-to-wheel situations rather than waiting for Antonelli to make mistakes.