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George Russell insists his relationship with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff remains strong and dismisses speculation over his future with the team as “just external noise”.
Russell is under pressure heading into this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix and is surprisingly 20 points clear of teammate Kimi Antonelli at the top of the drivers’ championship after three consecutive wins for the Italian teenager.
With Mercedes having the strongest performing car at the start of the new Formula 1 regulations effective for this season, Russell was considered the clear favorite for the title due to his significant experience edge over the 28-year-old Antonelli.
Despite Russell’s consistently impressive performances since joining Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate in 2022, there has been occasional speculation over his future with the team over the past few years amid Wolff’s interest in signing four-time world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was spotted chatting with Jos Verstappen in the paddock as speculation swirled about son Max’s future at Red Bull.
is asked by of Sky Sports F1 Asked on Thursday whether his relationship with Martin Brundle Wolf remains “rock solid”, Russell replied: “Yeah, sure.
“I mean, first of all, I don’t read any of that (speculation) because even positive news doesn’t really bring anything. I just focus on myself.”
Russell’s comments came as Wolff was seen having a lengthy conversation with Verstappen’s father Jose outside Mercedes’ hospitality unit in the Montreal paddock.
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Martin Brundle has praised the ‘impressive’ Kimi Antonelli but believes he will need a big performance to stop Mercedes team-mate George Russell in Canada.
“We have a very close relationship,” Russell continued. “We’ve gone through tough moments over the last four years trying to get Mercedes back to the top, and now we’re in a position where we’re both lucky, we’re fighting for wins week in and week out.”
“So, yeah, it’s all just noise to me.”
‘Toto is very different from other team bosses’
Russell got his Mercedes seat after the team sealed an eighth consecutive constructors’ title, but the Briton’s chances of victory were far less than expected in his jump from Williams, with Red Bull and McLaren dominating under the previous rules.
Throughout his time as Mercedes boss, Wolff has shown his willingness to let his drivers fight for the title, especially when Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have had a fierce duel over several seasons.
Asked by Brundle whether Wolff was different from team principals who might only be able to “love one driver at a time”, Russell said: “Toto is very different to a lot of team bosses in Formula 1.
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Toto Wolff says George Russell will never stop fighting and a 20-point gap over team-mate Kimi Antonelli will not deter him.
“I think you saw it with Luis and Nico that he always gave both equal opportunities.
“Even when Lewis and I, and Kimi and I were there last year, Mercedes was never a team that could bring updates to just one driver, they always put it together.
“And he made it clear that there is equal opportunity. So, it’s up to us to sort out the rest, as it should be.”
Antonelli is trying to ‘avoid confusion as much as possible’
Moving from title outsider to favorite after claiming the first three wins of his career in a row, Antonelli said he is trying to avoid the potential distractions that come with his elevated profile.
“Social media I don’t look at at all during race week. I try to avoid distractions as much as possible,” the 19-year-old said on Thursday.
“What I want is to try and focus as much as possible on the weekend’s goal, so focus on the process, on what I have to do.
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Having won the last three races, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is confident he can maintain his recent good form as he looks to win his first world championship.
“I know expectations are high right now, especially after this strong start to the year.
“But I try not to think too much about it and not get carried away by it. I just try, like I did every other weekend, just try to focus on what I have to do and also, enjoy the weekend as well, enjoy the driving.
“I know if I do these things well, which are present every moment, a good result will come.”
Sky Sports F1’s Canadian GP schedule
Friday 22nd May
1.55pm: F1 Academy practice
3pm: F2 practice
5pm: Canadian GP Practice One (Session starts at 5.30pm)*
6.55pm: F2 Qualifying*
7.40pm: Team bosses’ press conference*
9pm: Canadian GP Sprint Qualifying (Session starts at 9.30pm)*
10.55pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*
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A look at the wildest moments caught on onboard cameras at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Saturday 23 May
2.40pm: F1 Academy Race 1
4pm: Canadian GP sprint build-up
5pm: Canadian GP Sprint
6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
7pm: F2 Sprint*
8.10pm: Canadian GP Qualifying Build Up*
9pm: Canadian GP Qualifying*
11pm: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.45pm: Ted’s Qualifications Notebook*
Sunday 24 May
3.40pm: F1 Academy Race 3
5pm: F2 Feature Race
7.30pm: Canadian GP Build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
9pm: Canadian Grand Prix*
11am: Canadian GP reaction: Checkered flag*
12am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports main events
The Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix and another sprint weekend head to Montreal. Watch F1 live on Sky Sports from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime
