Toto Wolff has pointed out that George Russell’s status as a “Mercedes-grown talent” is a key consideration in deciding whether the British driver will be handed a new F1 deal.

Russell’s Mercedes contract expires at the end of 2025, leaving hi🍃m in a﷽ precarious position.

Wolff has been open about his interest in signing 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen.

He publicly flirted with the Dutchman throughout last year as he sought a replacement for 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton.

Red Bull’s decline in form might mean that Verstappen is tempted ꧋to look elsewhere.

Helmut Marko has hinted that “performance🦋 clauses” eཧxist in Verstappen’s F1 contract.

However, Wolff was keen to point out that Russell’s participation in the Mercedes junior programme is “something to bওe proud of,” potentially suggesting that they will remain loyal to one of their own d♍rivers.

“George i🅰s a Mercedes𒊎 driver, so we love having in the team,” Wolff said after the race in China.

“He’s a junior driver and a Mercedes-grown talent. That’s something to be proud of, and this is where my consideraꦿtion goes.”

Wolff heaps praise on “10 out of 10” Russell

Since the start of last⛦ year, Russell has been one of F1’s most consistent performers.

Russell dismantled Hamilton in the seven-time world champion’s fina🔯l year with the team.

Russell beat Hamilton 20-4 in the qualifying hea🐷d-to-he🐓ad.

The former Williams driver has con𒁏tinued his impressive form in 2025, starting the year🅷 strongly with back-to-back podiums.

Wolff heaped praise on Russell after his Chinese GP performanc🎃e.

“George is a warrior in the car and outside of the car,” Wolff said. “And that was only the💟 beginning of the praise he shared for hiꦚs driver.

“I never give 10 out of 10 because I thi🃏nk there is always better,” Wolff said. “We haven’t seen🐻 the perfect race.

“But considering the circumstances that George had today, it is a 10 out of 10 because he extracted the maximum of♌ this car, the tyres, the strategy, and it was a brꦇilliant drive.”

“Little was said of George,” he added. “I always said that that’s not right, because he’s one of the top drivers 🥀out there. If you want me to naﷺme three that

“I consider to be the top, he’s absolutely among those three, if not top two. And ꦺmaybe on his way to top one.”