Toto Wolff hails George Russell as one of 'absolute top three' drivers in F1 after '10 out of 10' performance in China

Toto Wolff believes that George Russell is one of the “absolute top three” drivers in Formula 1 – with the potential to become the “top one” – after deeming the Briton’s performance at the Chinese Grand Prix a “10 out of 10”.

After claiming the final spot on the podium at the season opener in Australia, Russell followed this up with another P3 result one week later at the Shanghai International Circuit, crossing the line less than two seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris in P2.

Given the noise that surrounded Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari last year – and the subsequent decision to recruit 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli as his replacement at the Silver Arrows – Wolff was asked post-race in China if he felt that many onlookers may have forgotten about Russell’s talents.

“Yeah, so I never give 10 out of 10 because there is always better, there is never the perfect race,” Wolff responded. “But considering the circumstances that George had today, it is 10 out of 10 because he extracted the maximum of his car, out of the tyres, the strategy – it was a brilliant drive.

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 22: Second placed qualifier George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes — Wolff was delighted with Russell's performance during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend

“You are absolutely right, all these discussions around Lewis because he is the biggest person in the sport leaving for Ferrari, great story. And Kimi coming in as the youngest driver, great potential.

“Little was said about George – I always said that is not right as he is one of the top drivers out there. If you want me to name three at the absolute top, he is one of those three, if not top two. And maybe on his way to top one.”

Given the level of Russell’s recent performances, Wolff was then quizzed on whether he had any concerns about the possibility of another team trying to sign the 27-year-old in the future.

“George is a Mercedes driver, so we love having him in the team,” the Team Principal explained. “He is a junior driver from the Mercedes – how you say, plant? – and that is something to be proud of, and this is where all my concentration goes to.”

While it has been a strong start to the campaign for the Silver Arrows, they remain 21 points adrift of leaders McLaren in the Teams’ standings, with Norris and Oscar Piastri taking one win apiece so far.

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 23: Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes — Russell took P3 behind the McLaren pairing of Piastri and Norris during Sunday's race in Shanghai

Russell recently suggested that the Woking-based outfit have a car that is capable of winning every race – and when asked if he agreed with this viewpoint, Wolff answered: “You have to rattle the cage a little bit and see what is falling out.

“I think, based on Melbourne, that was a valid statement. [In Shanghai we have been] closer, and we need to analyse after a few race weekends where we are because, on Saturday [after Hamilton’s win in the Sprint], we would have said Ferrari’s dominance is back and the greatest ever; if you look at Sunday’s race result, it was on the underwhelming side.

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“So you need to not oscillate between exuberance and depression literally day to day but, after a few races, kind of find a baseline and say this is what it is now.”

And when pushed on whether he felt that Russell was testing the mentality of his rivals by making that statement about McLaren, Wolff added: “George is a warrior, in the car and outside the car.”