George Russell and Lewis Hamilton — Photo: © LAT Images

Italian Grand Prix

Wolff sets Russell top-three target as 'Rosberg scenario' discussed

Russell will race alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2022

Sam Hall

Saturday 11 September 2021 08:00

Toto Wolff has revealed he will be "satisfied" if George Russell secures a "top-three" position in races in his maiden F1 campaign with Mercedes in 2022.

Russell's mission has now been made clear to him following confirmation he will be Lewis Hamilton's team-mate from next season.

Looking ahead to what is expected of Russell, team principal Wolff told Sky Sports F1: “We would be satisfied if he would be in the top three, in terms of the car package, competing for victories.

"That is always our ambition that we are right there.

“Over the long-term, this is the winning recipe and if we have a car that can develop that we are actually able to go for the championship, then absolutely.

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“He has the same car as Lewis and he has the pace. In qualifying, he is very fast and I’m sure it is going to be fine.”

Mercedes wants no pushovers

After the relationship between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg dramatically soured, Wolff declared he would never again entertain such disharmony inside the team.

The relationship between Valtteri Bottas and the seven-time champion since Rosberg's departure at the end of 2016 has been mainly positive.

But with Russell harbouring championship-winning ambitions of his own, Wolff accepts there is a risk the atmosphere could again change.

“You also have to respect the other guy’s perspective and ambition," added Wolff.

"We are not going to put a driver in the car who is not going to have the ambition to do as good as possible, to kick his team-mate as hard as he can, win races and championships early and that is clear.

“So I can put myself into his perspective. I am trying to discuss with him what that will mean for the team dynamic, what it could mean, how we need to keep momentum in the team.

“He is very intelligent and he gets that.”