Mercedes boss Wolff makes astonishing Russell claim

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has claimed George Russell is heading towards becoming the clear best driver on the F1 grid.

Wolff's compliment came after Russell drove to third place in the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, claiming back-to-back podiums in the process after also finishing third in the season-opener in Australia.

Russell has stepped up to a team leader role at Mercedes this year following the exit of seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.

Reflecting on the Briton's effort around the Shanghai International Circuit, Wolff hailed Russell's performance as a near-perfect race.

"I never give 10 out of 10 because I think there is always better,” Wolff told media, including RacingNews365.

“We haven't seen the perfect race, but considering the circumstances that George had [in China], it is a 10 out of 10.

"He extracted the maximum out of this car, the tyres, the strategy. It was a brilliant drive.”

Russell top two driver on 2025 F1 grid - Wolff

Much of the pre-season intrigue surrounded the arrival of Hamilton at Ferrari and Antonelli's promotion to Mercedes at just 18 years of age.

Wolff highlighted Russell deserved more of the spotlight as he labelled the 27-year-old among the very best on the current grid.

“All these discussions around Lewis, because he's the biggest person in the sport leaving to Ferrari, it's a great story,” Wolff said.

“Kimi coming in as the youngest driver and the high potential, and little was said about George.

"I always said that's not right because he's one of the top drivers out there. 

“If you want me to name three that I consider to be the top [drivers], he's absolutely among those three, if not top two, and maybe on his way to top one.”