Toto Wolff blames George Russell for Max Verstappen 'media avalanche'

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has placed the blame for media scrutiny of George Russell's contract talks (or pause thereof) at the feet of the driver himself.

The Brit is racing on an expiring deal and had been expected to renew earlier in the year, but it appears that the potential availability of Max Verstappen caused those talks to be put on the back-burner.

Speaking to Sky Sports during the Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff was quizzed by Martin Brundle on Russell’s contract, who asked: “What’s stopping you signing George?

"It must be so embarrassing for him to keep having to turn up at grands prix justifying himself when he’s doing such a good job.”

Wolff claimed it was the media applying pressure on the contract saga, and said: “I think it’s more that you guys make a lot of pressure because it’s an interesting topic.

“It’s completely normal, we have those negotiations and those discussions, every driver wants to have a better car and more money, completely normal behaviour, and that’s not going to be the crucial point.”

READ MORE: F1 pundit warns Mercedes 'embarrassing' driver over Max Verstappen pursuit

Wolff claims Russell triggered media attention

Sky Sports presenter Natalie Pinkham further probed Wolff, and asked: “But do you think that George perhaps brought it out into the open about your having conversations with Max because he wanted to expedite this process, because he felt the pressure to do so?”

However, Wolff shifted the blame to Russell and stated that he triggered the media attention in revealing talks with Verstappen, and thus the contract saga Brundle proclaimed as ‘embarrassing’ for the Brit.

“Well I think he’s now triggered the whole media avalanche but I think sometimes, maybe naive,” he said.

“But I try to be transparent with the drivers and I said to him listen ‘I have the obligation of exploring what Max is going to do in the next few years’ and I think he just came out with it wanting to show that ‘I’m aware what’s going on, there’s nothing going on behind my back and I’m fine with that'”.

Despite speculation that Verstappen may sign for Mercedes, Helmut Marko confirmed to the media after the Belgian GP that the four-time world champion will remain with Red Bull in 2026.

However, if Mercedes do emerge as the team to beat in 2026, Russell may feel pressure from Verstappen and his F1 seat once again.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton issues frank response as F1 legend quizzed on Christian Horner axe

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