Toto Wolff radio message reveals stir in Mercedes as Belgian racing driver finds George Russell 'under pressure'

Amidst significant pressure and competitive performance from Lewis Hamilton, George Russell is vying to establish himself as Mercedes' new No. 1 driver. Currently seventh in the F1 standings, Russell is just ahead of his outgoing teammate Hamilton.

With Hamilton set to leave in 2025, Russell has a chance to step into a more prominent role. However, his errors at the recent F1 Canadian Grand Prix, which cost him a potential victory despite a podium finish, have raised concerns.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff made headlines with his radio message to Russell during the race, saying, "Focus George, focus." This intervention highlighted the tension within the team and the high stakes for Russell.

Naomi Schiff, speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, emphasized the role of the team in calming and supporting their driver, suggesting that a more confident and secure driver might not push as hard or over-drive. “I agree with the sentiment that the team can play a big role in calming their driver down, making them more confident and secure, therefore they might not push so hard or over-drive,” Naomi Schiff told the Sky F1 podcast.

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“At the same time, we are talking about Formula 1 and it’s a dog-eat-dog world. The teams are going to be looking for the best possible driver. If they have a hint that Max Verstappen is available, or could be available, then they would be silly not to attempt to get him on board. George will understand that, while it might be frustrating”, he further added.

Will George Russell be able to handle mounting pressure?

Russell, who emerged alongside talents like Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc, has been held back by Mercedes' struggles in recent seasons. Speaking about it Naomi Schiff further said, “Every performance on the track is an audition for drivers to prove themselves in whatever way - whether that’s to secure a contract or be seen as the No1 driver.”

“Every last drive is what people remember. So I understand why George is putting himself under pressure. When Toto came on the radio I thought ‘gosh’. When my team bosses came on the radio it would put the fear of god into me! I would think ‘What have I done?’ I don’t know if that’s helpful. Maybe he did need that calming voice, someone to tell him to re-focus.”

Notably, despite winning in F2 and showcasing his talent, George Russell spent many years at Williams without the opportunity to truly shine. Now at Mercedes, he has the chance to prove his worth but faces challenges with the car's performance.

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With Hamilton's departure next year, Russell will have a new teammate, possibly Andrea Kimi Antonelli. This change will place the burden of being the senior driver on Russell, adding to the pressure he already faces to secure his position as Mercedes' leading driver.