Toto Wolff calls attention to 714-point F1 driver who isn’t being ‘mentioned enough’ before 2025 season

Lewis Hamilton has naturally dominated the off-season headlines in Formula 1. He’s made perhaps the biggest driver move in the sport’s history by switching to Ferrari.

Hamilton’s first test has been the biggest story of the winter so far, while his first official photo as a Ferrari driver amassed over 5.5 million likes. The hype will continue into winter testing, and the early rounds of the season.

But Hamilton’s 2025 title prospects are uncertain. Ferrari finished just 14 points behind McLaren in last year’s championship, so many expect them to produce a contending package.

However, the 40-year-old will have to overcome Charles Leclerc to win the championship. After George Russell beat him comfortably last year, he may no longer have the speed to do so.

Thus the main protagonists of the title race, going by the early predictions, will be Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Verstappen commands respect, having lifted the trophy in the past four seasons.

But Norris is arguably the favourite for 2025 after McLaren’s constructors’ triumph. With so much focus on this trio, the other drivers at the front of the grid can easily be overlooked.

Toto Wolff feels ‘accomplished’ George Russell is being forgotten

Speaking to Sky Sports News at the launch of Mercedes’ team kit, Toto Wolff called 2025 a year of reinvention. He says Hamilton’s exit will be a refresh for both parties.

Mercedes figures have repeatedly made this point. For instance, Russell said Hamilton would benefit from a fresh start at his new team.

His replacement is 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who graduates straight from F2. Antonelli is raw but, at his best, he looks like a future world champion.

Wolff, however, feels that Russell isn’t getting the attention he deserves. His F1 statline is impressive: three wins, five poles, 15 podiums and 714 points.

“We’re trying to reinvent ourselves with a young driver in addition to George,” the Mercedes boss said. “He’s not mentioned enough. We have a senior, accomplished driver that won races and this new kid coming up.

“At the same time, Lewis is doing something on his own, something new. I think it was a refresh for both of us.”

George Russell’s goal for the 2025 Formula 1 season is unrealistic

Russell may be driving for his future at Mercedes. He’s out of contract at the end of the 2025 season, and rumours around Max Verstappen persist.

For the reasons Wolff stated, the Englishman will be a coveted free agent if he enters the market. But there’s ‘bad blood’ between Russell and Red Bull after his spat with Verstappen at the end of last season.

As for 2025 prospects, Russell is hoping to win the championship. His opportunistic victories last season in Austria and Las Vegas have given him confidence that they can maximise the available points.

But that just doesn’t seem realistic in light of their performances in the ground-effect era. The top three were relatively close last season, but Mercedes finished nearly 200 points adrift in fourth.