Six-time F1 grand prix winner Ralf Schumacher has claimed that \u201crumour has it\u201d George Russell no longer wants Mercedes boss Toto Wolff in his ear as his advisor.<\/p>\n
Schumacher expressed that opinion following the Singapore Grand Prix, where he believes an agreement was reached between Russell<\/a> and Wolff, with Russell and Mercedes yet to publicly announce a new contract. According to what Schumacher has heard, Russell could move forward without Wolff as his advisor.<\/p>\n George Russell under new management at Mercedes?<\/p>\n Russell is delivering arguably his strongest Formula 1 season yet in 2025, a campaign which has included victories in Canada and Singapore. Yet, he remains out of contract come the end of the year.<\/p>\n During the summer, Russell had pointed to talks between Mercedes and Max Verstappen as a factor behind his contract situation. Yet, months have passed since Verstappen reaffirmed his Red Bull commitment, and Russell still does not have a deal for F1 2026.<\/p>\n In the paddock at the Singapore Grand Prix, Schumacher claimed a sense of \u201cunrest\u201d remains present between Russell and Mercedes.<\/p>\n Speaking on Sky Germany\u2019s Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Schumacher continued: \u201cYou remember, Toto Wolff had cancelled an interview appointment with us at short notice after the qualifying.<\/p>\n \u201cI almost suspect that this was ultimately the reason, because on Sunday he admitted to us that both drivers are definitely with Mercedes. So, not that they were still negotiating on that Saturday, because somehow, George Russell was not in a good mood.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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\u2019t have stood in front of the camera.\u201d<\/p>\n Schumacher\u2019s belief that an agreement was reached came with an apparent rumour over the future of the Wolff and Russell alliance.<\/p>\n Russell does have a personal manager in Harry Soden, but, as a graduate of the Mercedes Junior Team, also has his career overseen by Mercedes and Wolff \u2013 this makes for a unique situation as the majority of F1 drivers have a management setup completely external from the Formula 1 team which they race for.<\/p>\n \u201cRumour has it that Russell no longer wants Toto or, in any form, Toto as an advisor,\u201d Schumacher claimed.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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\u2019s the feeling you get.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, I believe there was tension, and I think especially under these conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n Latest Mercedes talking points from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Russell to stay? Predicting the next move for every out-of-contract F1 driver<\/a><\/p>\n