Toto Wolff defends Mercedes strategy for George Russell in Spanish Grand Prix
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 15, 2026, 11:37 AM
Last updated Sep 15, 2026
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff defended the decision to execute a two-stop strategy for George Russell during Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. Russell finished the race in fifth place after questioning the team's move to pit him twice while his teammate, Kimi Antonelli, secured victory on a one-stop strategy. During the race, Russell told his race engineer that he could have held off Lando Norris if he had stayed on the track. Wolff noted that the team feared the medium tyres would not last until the finish and sought to improve Russell’s position rather than waiting for a potential red flag. Post-race, Russell acknowledged that the hard tyre was the superior option, though he maintained that the track characteristics limited his ability to overtake regardless of the chosen strategy.
- •George Russell finished fifth in the Spanish Grand Prix after making two pit stops.
- •Toto Wolff stated the team did not believe the medium tyres would last until the end.
- •Kimi Antonelli won the race while using a one-stop strategy.
- •Russell admitted after the race that the hard tyre performed better than the medium set.
- •Kimi Antonelli now leads the Drivers' Championship by 81 points.
- 11:37 AMYahoo Sports — Mercedes explains George Russell’s two-stop strategy in F1 Spanish GP
- 11:37 AMMotorsport.com — Mercedes explains George Russell’s two-stop strategy in F1 Spanish GP
"Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has explained why George Russell pitted under the virtual safety car despite starting on hard tyres in Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix. Russell was the only driver from the top teams not to stick to a one-stop on a Madring track where overtaking was at a premium, which was largely down to the timing of the VSC intervention. Race control ...Keep reading
"The timing of the VSC was highly detrimental to Russell’s race in Madrid, and it was perhaps surprising for him to pit then; Mercedes has expanded on its strategy call
"Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has backed the decision to pit George Russell twice in the Spanish Grand Prix.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 11:37 AMMercedes explains George Russell’s two-stop strategy in F1 Spanish GP
The timing of the VSC was highly detrimental to Russell’s race in Madrid, and it was perhaps surprising for him to pit then; Mercedes has expanded on its strategy call
- Motorsport.comSep 15, 2026, 11:37 AMMercedes explains George Russell’s two-stop strategy in F1 Spanish GP
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has explained why George Russell pitted under the virtual safety car despite starting on hard tyres in Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix. Russell was the only driver from the top teams not to stick to a one-stop on a Madring track where overtaking was at a premium, which was largely down to the timing of the VSC intervention. Race control ...Keep reading
- Formula1.com—Wolff explains decision on Russell's tyre strategy in Madrid
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has backed the decision to pit George Russell twice in the Spanish Grand Prix.
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