© Wolfgang Wilhelm for Daimler AG
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says Mercedes “didn’t want to set expectations high” for George Russell’s debut in their car.
After a Mercedes pit stop mix-up and later a puncture, George Russell lost the opportunity to score his first ever career win. Toto Wolff says there wasn’t much to say to the young Briton after the race.
“I saw George in his room and it was very emotional because if you are in your first race in a Mercedes and you should have won it following a monumental drive, then there is not a lot you can say,” said the Austrian.
“It is not going to be his last attempt to win a race. It is just the beginning of a fairytale that didn’t work out today, but I would say that a new star is born.”
Mercedes’ team boss explained how the team didn’t want to put additional pressure on the youngster by putting high targets in front of him, he had enough on his plate merely by having to replace Lewis Hamilton at the last minute.
“By saying that we don’t expect anything better than a top-five, I wanted to take pressure off him because the truth is he’s not in a championship fight.
“Our team has done it already and this is about learning, working in a new environment and having a little bit more pressure.
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“We didn’t want to set expectations high and he over-delivered, and over-delivered, and over-delivered.
“He over-delivered on Friday, he over-delivered yesterday in qualifying in just a few hundredths away from Valtteri and he over-delivered today. His racing was unbelievable.
“He got off the starting line with the best reaction time in a car that isn’t built for him, that is much too small with paddles that didn’t fit his hands and he got into the lead and drove a brilliant race, and could have won twice.
“We learnt that George Russell is someone to count on in the future. He has all the potential and all the ingredients that a future star needs.
“In that respect, I am sad for the result that he could have had in his first race for Mercedes but on the other side, I am happy about his performances,” concluded Wolff.
