Schumacher: Russell drops Wolff, Verstappen is the reason
George Russell ahead of the Singapore GP - Photo: Race Pictures
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According to F1 expert Ralf Schumacher, despite his recent Singapore GP win, there's a rumour swirling around that George Russell would not want Toto Wolff as advisor on his F1 career anymore.
Rumour has it that Russell no longer wants Toto or, in any form, Toto as an advisor.- Ralf Schumacher
Russell took a dominant pole and win in Singapore last time out. Following his Saturday evening success, the British driver, however, was in a bad mood, and the contract negotiations would have been at the heart of Russell's discomfort, Schumacher said in the Backstage Boxxengasse podcast.
“You remember, Toto Wolff had cancelled an interview appointment with us at short notice after the qualifying.
He added: “I almost suspect that this was ultimately the reason, because on Sunday he admitted to us that both drivers are definitely with Mercedes.
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"So, not that they were still negotiating on that Saturday, because somehow, George Russell was not in a good mood."
George Russell celebrates his Singapore GP victory on the podium - Photo: Race Pictures
Schumacher believes the agreement between both parties to extend their collaboration into 2026 was reached during the Singapore GP weekend.
He said: “I believe a lot was negotiated there. But I think they reached an agreement on that Saturday. That was my feeling a bit, because otherwise Toto Wolff wouldn’t have stood in front of the camera.”
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Schumacher: "Russell no longer wants Toto as an advisor"
According to Schumacher, rumours would indicate that Russell would not want Wolff to continue to hold a role in his management. The reason? The Austrian's very public flirtations with four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
“Rumour has it that Russell no longer wants Toto or, in any form, Toto as an advisor,” Schumacher claimed.
“I believe, as a driver, he suffered a bit during the time they publicly flirted with Max Verstappen and pushed him a bit to the side. That’s the feeling you get.
“So, I believe there was tension, and I think especially under these conditions,” Schumacher concluded.
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Though Wolff did confirm both Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli would make up Mercedes' line up for 2026, official confirmation has not yet been issued on the matter.
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