Unusual Toto Wolff method hailed for helping Mercedes through 'extremely tough times'

George Russell has praised the leadership of Toto Wolff, highlighting how Mercedes did not resort to a hiring-and-firing culture during the team's relatively lean period.

Having secured eight consecutive constructors' championships between 2014 and 2021, the Silver Arrows went titleless through the contemporary ground effect era, which covered the past four seasons.

Despite finishing second twice in that span, the Wolff-led team was never in contention for the championship, and only amassed seven victories.

However, with F1 ushering in a new generation of cars in 2026, the Brackley-based squad has returned to the summit, wrapping up its ninth constructors' crown at the São Paulo Grand Prix.

Whereas other sports teams may have cleared house to fully rebuild, Mercedes limited turnover in key staff, which Russell, who is fighting for second in the F1 drivers' standings after team-mate Kimi Antonelli won the title, was keen to point out.

"We have been through a lot over those years. It's been extremely tough times," Russell told media, including RacingNews365.

"But I think something I admire a lot about Toto's leadership is that the people we have today are the same people who were there during the glory years, and they're the same people who went through the difficulties during 2022 to 2025. Nobody was hired or fired."

Russell elaborated, heralding the three central pillars of Wolff's leadership that paved the way for the team to emerge victorious again.

"The trust and belief stayed with the core group of people, and now we've come through...," the eight-time grand prix added.

Credit to everybody in the team, but huge credit to Toto for that loyalty and belief in the people, even when times were tough."