There are a number of Formula 1 drivers on the grid who probably do not get the recognition they deserve, and Toto Wolff has shared his pick for who he believes is the most overlooked.
The Austrian team principal spent most of his career leading Mercedes through one of Formula 1’s most dominant eras. Therefore, he has seen plenty of talented drivers come and go without ever really breaking through.
Wolff’s latest focus is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who joined Mercedes at just 18 years old with hopes of following in the footsteps of his idols.
But when it comes to naming the grid’s most underrated driver, the seasoned executive has someone else in mind.
Toto Wolff explains why he sees George Russell as the most underrated driver on the grid
Wolff recently appeared on WIRED’s Tech Support web series, where he answered a variety of questions about his role in Formula 1 and his views on the current season.
When asked who he believes is the most underrated driver in F1 today, Wolff did not hesitate before naming George Russell.
“For me, it’s clear, it’s George Russell,” he began by saying.
“He’s won everything, in go-karting in Formula 3, Formula 2. He came into the team next to Lewis Hamilton – the biggest sports star in our industry, if not one of the biggest overall.”
“But George has grown so much as a driver in his skills and as a personality. And I think today he’s definitely right up there and someone who leads the team going forward.”
The sentiment is shared by many fans around F1 too, with plenty seeing him as one of the most undervalued drivers currently competing at this level.
George Russell has stepped up as a team leader at Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton’s departure
With Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari confirmed for the 2025 season, Russell has naturally become the face of Mercedes moving forward, especially after Kimi Antonelli was named for the second seat.
Russell has filled the gap left by Hamilton with real confidence and purpose.
He has already shown what he can do when given the right setup, picking up two wins so far this season.
Even though Mercedes have not been at their best this year, he has still managed to find a way to break through – joining only the top three title contenders in taking a win.
Looking ahead to his fifth year with Mercedes, Russell will be hoping to follow in Michael Schumacher’s footsteps by capturing his first championship in his fifth season with the team.
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