Russell reveals 12-year Wolff bond as Mercedes chase first title in years

George Russell has described his relationship with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff as one of the defining forces behind his career, speaking publicly about their 12-year bond as the Brackley outfit mounts a serious 2026 title challenge.

Russell, 28, joined the Mercedes Junior Team in 2017 before signing for Williams in 2019. He made his first appearance in a works Mercedes at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, standing in for Lewis Hamilton, and has since accumulated six grand prix victories, 27 podiums, 10 pole positions and 11 fastest laps across his career.

“It’s been 12 years now that we’ve known one another,” Russell told F1.com. “We’ve become so close, especially the most recent years. We’re together most days when we’re back home. Carmen and I have such a close relationship with Susie and Toto.”

The Briton was candid about the difficult period that preceded this season’s resurgence. “We’ve been through the highs and the lows, starting in the years when I was at Williams, trying to get into Mercedes, then four years of relative failure for us, not fighting for a championship,” he said. “To arrive in Melbourne, to get the 1-2 with Kimi, it was like, ‘We’re back’.”

Despite acknowledging that recent races have been “really tough” for him personally, Russell said conversations with Wolff have kept the bigger picture in focus. “Just thinking about what we’ve endured these last four years, and how much we’ve fought to bring Mercedes back on top — it makes me really proud,” he added.

Russell sits third in the 2026 drivers’ championship with 106 points after seven rounds. Team-mate Kimi Antonelli leads on 156 points, with Hamilton second on 115. The next round, the Austrian Grand Prix, takes place from 26–28 June.