Russell credits Wolff's loyalty for Mercedes' F1 return

George Russell has praised Toto Wolff's leadership, saying Mercedes did not turn to a hiring-and-firing culture during the team's lean period in the ground effect era. Mercedes went without a constructors' title from 2022 to 2025, finishing second twice and recording seven wins in that span.

With the new generation of cars introduced in 2026, Mercedes returned to the top, clinching its ninth constructors' championship at the São Paulo Grand Prix. Russell, who is fighting for second in the drivers' standings behind team-mate Kimi Antonelli, said the people in the team today are the same ones who were there during the glory years and the difficult period that followed.

Russell said trust and belief in the core group of people had carried the team through, crediting Wolff for his loyalty during tough times.