May 19, 2026 — Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says he is confident George Russell will shake off a difficult weekend in Miami and be back contending for wins soon.
Russell, who started the season strongly after dominating in Australia, struggled at the Miami Grand Prix and finished fourth, more than 40 seconds behind the race winner. The Briton admitted the Miami circuit is not one of his best, and late on-track battles — including passes by Max Verstappen and a recovering Charles Leclerc — limited his ability to challenge for the podium.
Kimi Antonelli ultimately took the victory in Miami, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completing the podium. Despite the setback, Russell still collected useful points and now sits around 20 points behind his Mercedes team mate in the championship standings.
Wolff played down concerns that the result signals a broader problem. Speaking after the race, he described Russell as a “killer” on the track — a driver who never stops attacking and who has shown that mentality throughout his career from karting to the top level. Wolff said conversations during the weekend confirmed that Miami is something of a blip for Russell and that the team will not carry those doubts into the next round in Montreal.
“George is so experienced,” Wolff said, praising Russell’s relentlessness and competitive instincts. He added that Russell will leave no stone unturned in seeking better results and that both Mercedes drivers will keep fighting for points all season.
Mercedes’ form so far this year — with strong performances from both Russell and Antonelli, the latter converting all his pole positions into wins — has put the team in a position to challenge for the Teams’ Championship for the first time since 2021. Wolff said an intra-team battle does not worry him, noting he has managed intense internal rivalries in the past and is encouraged by the drivers’ consistent competitiveness.
He also hailed the wider team’s resilience, highlighting the commitment of the 2,500 staff across Brixworth and Brackley. After a long period without consistent victories, Wolff said winning multiple races this season has been hugely rewarding for everyone involved and credited the organisation’s ability to stay focused under pressure.
In short, Wolff expects Miami to be a minor setback rather than a turning point. With Montreal next on the calendar, Mercedes and Russell are looking to return to the front and continue their push through the championship.