George Russell faces tough negotiation tactics from Toto Wolff

Nico Rosberg has reminded the nationalist that Mercedes brag Toto Wolff was “terrible” successful negotiations with him, utilizing the “disappearance” tactic. He made this connection astatine a clip erstwhile George Russell is inactive waiting for a caller declaration with Mercedes, and the squad has not made a determination connected immoderate operator positions for the 2026 season.

Russell is presently experiencing what is astir apt his champion play successful Formula 1 truthful acold - helium won from rod presumption successful Canada, and achieved 4 much podium finishes. However, helium has inactive not been offered a caller declaration beyond 2025, and his teammate, rookie Kimi Antonelli, is successful the aforesaid situation. In the background, speculation is swirling that Mercedes could effort to bring four-time satellite champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull.

Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Russell confirmed that “he inactive has nary crushed to interest astir his aboriginal with Mercedes”, but his concern is reminiscent of Rosberg’s experiences with Wolff, who successful summation to being the squad principal, besides has a one-third ownership stake.

An annoying tactic: Wolff disappears astatine the astir important moments

"Toto is unspeakable to negociate with due to the fact that his maneuver is to disappear," the 2016 satellite champion told Sky F1. "When you try... similar present George, he's trying to get him and Toto conscionable disappears. George writes to him, tries to get him started oregon immoderate – and Wolff disappears."

He added: "I'm not definite it's truly similar that, possibly I'm making it up, but I retrieve successful my clip that was his benignant - helium conscionable didn't respond, it was hard to interaction him... and it's awful, due to the fact that you think: travel on!"

"You person nary control, you person nary chance... you bash what you can, but you person to find a mode for your paths to yet cross."

However, it is expected that Mercedes volition soon corroborate Russell and Antonelli for adjacent season, portion Verstappen volition stay astatine Red Bull.

Verstappen is nether declaration with Red Bull until the extremity of 2028, but speculation astir him moving to Mercedes has been fuelled by a clause successful his declaration that allows him to exit if helium finishes 4th oregon little successful the drivers' standings aft the Hungarian Grand Prix. Russell, who is fourth, is 28 points down Verstappen, and with a maximum of 25 points available, the clause could theoretically not beryllium triggered this year.

Asked by Sky F1 whether the declaration concern had affected the Briton's driving, Wolff replied: "No. As a driver, helium is truthful mature and unchangeable that I don't deliberation it affects performance. On the contrary, I privation we had sorted it retired earlier. We haven't managed it now, but I'm optimistic that helium volition slumber good implicit the summertime break."