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It comes after Wolff’s public pursuit of Verstappen, with the Austrian having admitted earlier in the year that he “would love” to have the Dutchman at Mercedes, a possibility that now appears to be off the cards for the foreseeable future following the signing of Kimi Antonelli for 2025.
With Russell entering into his fourth season at the Silver Arrows next year – and his seventh campaign overall in F1 – Wolff has previously said that the 26-year-old “has all he needs to step in the more senior role in the team” amid the impending departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Kimi will be the real deal’ – Wolff on Antonelli’s signing, Russell’s senior role and his Hamilton relationship
“He’s learning, he’s constantly developing,” Wolff commented about Russell. “That is a skill we have all admired with Lewis – although he’s this great champion, he is constantly developing as a human and as a racing driver.
“So yes, George has all he needs to step in the more senior role in the team and take the leadership when it maybe comes to technical decisions on set-ups that need to be taken. I have great confidence in him.”
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