Ex-F1 Driver Declares Toto Wolff Has Built A “Daniel Riccardo-like Resentment Within George Russell” with New Contract Extension

Mercedes finally announced George Russell’s contract extension that will run until the end of the 2026 season. Despite performing much better than expected, Russell wasn’t allowed a longer contract extension, probably because of Toto Wolff‘s deep interest in acquiring Max Verstappen as early as the 2027 season. Now, ex-F1 driver Derek Daly ponders the reasons behind the tensions at the German outfit.

Toto Wolff‘s interest in acquiring Max Verstappen at Mercedes did not fade away despite the latter clearly denying racing for the team. Verstappen even issued his full-fledged loyalty to Red Bull, claiming that he wished to end his career there.

However, Wolff still hoped that the Dutchman would one day join Brackley. George Russell was likely to get the axe if the four-time champion considered joining Mercedes. Because of this, there was such an intense delay in contract extension for the Silver Arrow.

Derek Daly wasn’t mincing his words while predicting the ongoing tensions at Mercedes. Daly initially applauded George Russell and his amazing speed this season. However, the Irishman revealed that Toto Wolff had built a Daniel Ricciardo-like resentment within Russell without Max Verstappen even joining the outfit yet. Ricciardo left Red Bull under similar pretenses as he felt undervalued against Verstappen.

I think George Russell has amazing speed, Unfortunately, Toto has now built a bit of a Daniel Riccardo[-like] resentment within George Russell.

Derek Daly told RacingNews365

Derek Daly drew attention to the fact that Toto Wolff had talked to George Russell about liking the latter as a driver. However, this affection was very conditional, and it would all vanish as soon as Max Verstappen decided to join the team.

Daly recalled that Daniel Ricciardo underwent a similar situation at Red Bull and hence quit the team altogether. As such, Russell was undergoing this feeling and would definitely need some time before moving on from this fact.

Toto Wolff has already told George Russell, ’Yeah, you’re good. We like you – but we’d change it in a heartbeat. That is, in essence, what Red Bull told Daniel Ricardo and I think it’ll take a bit of time to recover from that.

Derek Daly added.

George Russell can end up being ‘even more impressive’ at Mercedes

George Russell is definitely going through some dark times mentally, especially because of the entire contract renewal fiasco. Even though his results in the 2025 season are impressive, he is likely feeling a sense of insecurity at Mercedes. As such, Derek Daly reckoned that Russell might face hurdles in his ambitions to perform great at the German outfit, keeping in mind the mental toll on him.

Derek Daly questioned whether George Russell could forget all the noise and become emotionally neutral to the fact that he may one day be brutally snubbed from the team to make way for Max Verstappen. The Irishman even questioned whether he could forget these problems and remain unaffected in his performance. If the 27-year-old manages to do so, he would definitely end up being even more impressive than he currently is.

Can he become emotionally neutral and forget it? Can you learn how to forget? It’s like great golfers. Great golfers can learn how to forget. Can George Russell learn how to forget that that ever happened? [Can he] be completely unburdened mentally to give everything he can? Maybe he can and end up being even more impressive.

Derek Daly noted.

The 2025 season is just six races away from completion, and George Russell is still mathematically in championship contention. However, it is likely next to impossible for Russell to cover the 99-point deficit to the championship leader. As such, the Briton will aim to salvage all points possible this season and look up to the coming year and achieving a contract extension beyond 2026.

Read More: Martin Brundle Exposes Christian Horner’s ‘Toto Wolff-Ish Demand’ for F1 return

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