Toto Wolff Backs George Russell to Bounce Back in Canada

Toto Wolff has backed George Russell to rebound at the Canadian Grand Prix, promising the Mercedes driver will make "life difficult" for his rivals after a tough Miami weekend.

Russell has been eclipsed by rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli, who won the last three grands prix to build a 20-point championship lead over the Briton. Mercedes has dominated early 2026, winning all four races and leading Ferrari by 70 points in the constructors' standings.

Why it matters:

Mercedes faces an unexpected intra-team title fight. Russell, the season-opening winner in Australia, now trails Antonelli by 20 points after finishing second in China and fourth in both Japan and Miami. Wolff's vote of confidence signals the team expects a tighter battle ahead.

The details:

• China: Russell suffered an electrical fault leaving his car stuck in first gear during Q3, but recovered to finish second behind Antonelli.
• Japan: An unsuccessful setup change put him on the back foot, and an ill-timed safety car ruined his chances of pressuring Oscar Piastri. Battery charging issues at the restart cost him track position, dropping him to fourth, over 15 seconds behind race-winning Antonelli.
• Miami: Russell struggled with car balance and overheating tires through the twisty middle sector. He qualified fifth and finished fourth, a massive 43 seconds behind his triumphant teammate.
• Wolff's assessment: "Russell hasn't done as well, in some cases due to team problems, or bad luck, and in Miami due to his own mistakes. But we know George's value, and we know he'll return, starting from Canada, very competitive and ready to make life difficult for his opponents."

What's next:

The Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve offers Russell a chance to reset. With Antonelli establishing himself as the title favorite, Russell must close the gap quickly to keep his championship hopes alive.