Wolff says Russell still struggling to unlock Mercedes W17

George Russell’s difficult season continued at the United States Grand Prix, where he finished eighth as Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli took victory. Team principal Toto Wolff believes Russell’s deficit reflects the difficulty of finding the right operating window in the W17, rather than a lack of ability.

Antonelli finished 54 seconds ahead of Russell in Austin. Russell’s race was also affected by a five-second penalty, served at his pit stop after he left the track and gained an advantage. He then spent the remainder of the race behind Oscar Piastri’s McLaren.

Mercedes says the W17 is harder for Russell to operate

Wolff said Russell had been close in Q2, but did not deliver in Q3. The driver took responsibility for the qualifying result, while Wolff said the team still needed to understand why Russell had struggled in the race.

The Mercedes boss also questioned why Russell could not get past Piastri, given that both cars used the same engine and had access to the same electrical energy deployment. But Wolff’s main concern was the car’s narrow operating window, which he said had become more challenging with the team’s update package.

Mercedes plans to review its decisions and compare them with the car’s performance across the weekend. Wolff said the positive was that the update had shown the car could work; the task now was to make it easier to operate consistently.

Russell has previously shown strong pace, including his Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory, but Wolff acknowledged that the results have varied. When the car suits him, he is fast; when it falls outside his preferred window, he has more difficulty than Antonelli.

Wolff rejects the idea that Russell lacks speed

Antonelli’s ninth win of the season leaves him close to becoming the youngest driver to win the title, with the championship potentially decided in Mexico City this weekend. Wolff said the Italian had adapted well to the 2026 regulations and had found a way to make the updated car work.

The team principal defended Russell’s standing, pointing to his success across categories and performances this season and last. He insisted the gap did not reflect a fundamental speed difference between the two drivers, putting the responsibility on Mercedes to understand why the same car produces such different results.

Russell’s qualifying difficulties have also surfaced elsewhere this year, including in Spain, where he explained his struggle after set-up changes. For Mercedes, the immediate challenge is to make the W17’s performance more accessible to him.