George Russell’s highly self-critical comments after the Canadian GP are not a good sign for Mercedes. The British driver, who started in the pole position for the second time in his F1 career, fumbled in the race to finish P3 behind Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Russell rued his “ugly race” on the team radio, apologizing for the “missed opportunity”. Former F1 champion Damon Hill believes Toto Wolff is the culprit for the 26-year-old’s insecurities.

George Russell is under immense pressure to fill the giant shoes of Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton in 2025. This pressure was exacerbated in Montreal, as he failed to keep Verstappen behind. Under changing weather conditions, the Mercedes driver made several mistakes and let the victory slip. After the race, team boss Toto Wolff claimed that an easy double podium was possible, unlike the actual P3 and P4 achieved. Instances like this make Damon Hill believe that Mercedes isn’t doing enough to lift Russell’s confidence.

“I think it can be slightly undermining if you’re getting coached by your team boss over the radio during race, being told to focus,” Hill said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, adding, “I think he knows what he’s doing, to quote a famous racing driver. But I do think that this is a problem for George because he’s been there at Mercedes. They haven’t had a great run, but he is definitely doing the job for them.”

“Lewis is off to Ferrari next year, and he is trying to establish himself as the lead driver,” the 63-year-old noted, continuing, “And he’s yet to achieve that, I think, because they’re talking all the time about who’s going to be his teammate for next year rather than talking up George. I think Mercedes ought to back him a bit harder. They ought to give him a bit more confidence and then he doesn’t perhaps have to try so hard to prove himself in the race because it seems to me he’s trying to compensate a little bit for stuff.”

Losing on a day when Mercedes looked the quickest in two years might’ve disappointed Russell. But he being more self-critical than Lando Norris usually is, was a surprise. Even his rival and the reigning world champion had to chip in to calm him down.

Max Verstappen consoles George Russell after the heartbreaking Canadian GP

In Qualifying on Saturday, Max Verstappen and George Russell shockingly set identical lap times. But because the Mercedes driver was the first to do so, he secured Pole. For over 20 laps in the race, he held onto P1 only to let the Dutchman by after losing control of his W15 in the wet. Post-race, even Verstappen couldn’t let his rival feel so defeated.

“I literally told George already before, because he was a bit upset with himself probably,” the Red Bull driver said, adding, “I said, ‘Mate, these things can happen. We’re all pushing to the limit. Sometimes it works out for you, sometimes yeah, you make one mistake too much and it can catch you out’. But that’s racing as well. I’m sure he will learn and look back at it as well and he will learn from it. We’re all very young still, you learn a lot in your career.”

Mercedes will be presented with a clean slate at the Spanish GP next weekend. With new upgrades expected to the W15’s floor, Russell will shoot for redemption. But so will Ferrari after a brutal double DNF in Canada. However, Red Bull will hold all the cards once again at the traditional Barcelona circuit. Now, F1 fans across the globe are awaiting a tense battle.