Toto Wolff claims George Russell's contract reneal is "super near" to being signed. Photo: RacePictures.

Mercedes confident in George Russell's growing Formula 1 consistency

18:08, 06 Oct

byLuke-John Buckle

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has praised George Russell for his step up in consistency in Formula 1, following the British driver's dominant performance in Singapore.

"We've seen George in the past, these moments, but not recently."

- Toto Wolff

Russell took a superb pole position in Singapore, and he won the Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen in a measured drive.

Wolff explained in Singapore that Russell has made an improvement this year in cutting out needless errors, and he felt the win wasn't in doubt.

The Austrian said when asked about Russell making fewer mistakes: "I think we've seen George in the past, these moments [errors], but not recently. And that's a step-up that he has made also this year, that these things don't happen again.

"He was in control of the race today, eking out an advantage, managing it when Max was a bit closer. And there was not at any moment a doubt that there was any risk in his driving."

Toto Wolff believes Mercedes "are in the mix" in Singapore. Photo: RacePictures.

The race win was a significant step in the right direction for Mercedes at a track they hadn't won at since 2018.

Russell was in contention for victory in 2023 but crashed on the last lap while running in third place.

Wolff highlighted that Singapore hasn't been an excellent track for Mercedes and was delighted with their performance at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

He said: "That [Singapore] was never a nice place for us in terms of car performance. Obviously a great place other than driving.

"And if you would have told me that we're dominating in the way we did today, I would have not believed it. But from the get-go on both tyres, driver and car, were just in sync and not to be beaten."

Russell feels he's equipped to compete for a world title

Russell has taken five victories in Formula 1 but hasn't had the car capable of challenging for the world championship.

The British driver took his second win of the season in Singapore, and Russell is adamant he's ready to fight for a title in Formula 1.

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