It's too early for Russell to go to Mercedes

Wolff said his team had a choice between keeping his current driver Valteri Potas and improving his reserve driver Esteban Okon. Russell is believed to continue his studies with Williams, where he has a contract with the British barn.

Wolf cited Max Fürstaben as an example of a driver who had enough space to learn.

"I think you have to keep in mind that these drivers are entering Formula 1 from an early age, and there are of course exceptions, especially Max Fürstaben who had the right environment in Toro Rosso to learn and make mistakes, make mistakes and learn from them. "

"It's amazing to see his progress at every level." From his character's point of view, you do not find a single negative word about Honda, just positive words about his team and his commitment It's definitely the good behavior for a professional pilot, I can not wait for anything else. "

"But he also had the opportunity to learn and master his strengths at Red Bull, despite his promising talent and development that he experienced in his environment."

"I do not think you have the ability to learn in a team like Mercedes because you're behind a leash that can win races and titles, and in a very stressful environment," Wolff said.

"I think things can go very bad with a small driver who has the talent to be world champion in an environment like the best driver of his generation who has extended his career with us for seven years and I do not want not burn the talent of a pilot like Russell. "

"I think it will be too early for him, and first and foremost, I try to abide by all the contracts we have made because we are bound by a contract and we knew what we were doing with Williams and the company. environment in which he was going to learn. "

Wolff conceded that his team would face a difficult choice in the coming weeks.

"It's a choice between Esteban and Valtieri, we had a long discussion within the team and I was in conflict with myself to find out what was right for Mercedes and the drivers", did he declare.

"In a way, they both deserve this place," said Esteban because of his predicament. Indeed, he certainly has the motivation, the energy and the talent to be part of the Mercedes team, and he has demonstrated the speed, excellent team development with Lewis. "

"So there are a lot of advantages and disadvantages, so we finally decided not to think about it any more than we had done, but to wait for the Budapest tour, to discuss summer vacation, then make a decision that is best for the team because we care about both. "