Russell ‘giving us all the reasons’ to sign new Mercedes deal – Wolff

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has strongly hinted at an imminent contract extension for George Russell, following the Briton's impressive pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix. Russell, who secured his second consecutive pole in Montreal, beat reigning champion Max Verstappen by a significant 0.160s, reaffirming his value to the Silver Arrows. Wolff praised Russell's consistency and leadership, stating, "He's giving us all the reasons to do that quickly. We know what he’s capable of doing and he has been leading this team now since a while. He has the pace and the right attitude. He’s been a Mercedes junior [for] such a long time, and we are on track in doing what we’ve always planned." Russell's pole lap, a blistering 1m 10.899s, was highlighted by Wolff as one of Mercedes' best, particularly given the competitive field. Wolff also noted the surprising pace found throughout qualifying, culminating in Russell's exceptional performance. Looking ahead to the race, attention will undoubtedly turn to the potential re-match between Russell and Verstappen, especially after their collision in Spain. Wolff anticipates a fierce battle, emphasizing both drivers' determination "not to give an inch." The team remains cautiously optimistic about maintaining their performance in race conditions, acknowledging the challenge of the heat.