Toto Wolff on George Russell’s performance in China: « That’s 10 out of 10! »
At the Chinese Grand Prix, George Russell made the most of his Mercedes to secure a podium finish behind McLaren. Despite a difficult start, he fought hard right to the end, earning a rare « 10 out of 10 » from Toto Wolff. Kimi Antonelli's performance was also commended after a difficult but respectable race.
Everything began under bad omens for George Russell. The Mercedes driver started second on the grid, but from the first corner, he saw Lando Norris pass him after being pushed inside by Oscar Piastri. A difficult start, but Russell quickly reacted, getting back into the rhythm to try and make up for his lost ground.
After losing his second place at the first corner, he regained the advantage and even closed in on Norris to finish just behind him. “He got the most out of the car and for me, it was a 10 out of 10,” commented Toto Wolff after the race, admiring his driver.
The battle for the podium
The race was marked by a fierce battle, notably between the McLarens and the Ferraris, with the shadow of Max Verstappen often looming nearby. The McLarens were clearly in the lead, but Russell did everything he could to stay in the fight. Comfortably sitting in second place, Lando Norris managed to maintain his advantage thanks to great tire management and a solid defense against his fellow Brit.
Russell, however, never let up and finished the race just two seconds from second place. A performance that once again shows his character and level of commitment. He was able to maximize every opportunity. « It was a good afternoon’s work », analyzed Wolff, congratulating his driver for bringing back a podium, which seemed to be the best scenario before the race.
If Russell’s performance was praised, that of Kimi Antonelli, the young Mercedes talent, also deserves attention. Despite damage to the floor from the first lap, he managed to finish in the points in eighth place (sixth with the disqualification of the Ferraris). A true testament to perseverance: « He did not complain throughout the race, he just kept focusing on his job », added Toto Wolff, highlighting the young driver’s steely mentality.
A solid season start for Mercedes
In terms of results, this Chinese Grand Prix is a really good point for Mercedes. After two podiums in the first two races, the team now occupies second place in the constructors’ championship. It’s not yet the long-awaited victory, but Toto Wolff seems more than satisfied. « The car is not as fast as the McLaren, but the team is working hard to close this gap », said Wolff, emphasizing the need to continue progressing.
It’s a solid start to the season for Mercedes. The team seems on the right track to achieve its goal: aiming for victory. For Russell, this 10 out of 10 is a great reward for his seriousness in racing.
