Russell insists relationship with Wolff rock solid amid 'external noise'

Russell is under pressure going into this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix having surprisingly fallen 20 points behind his team-mate Kimi Antonelli at the top of the Drivers' Championship after three successive victories for the Italian teenager.

With Mercedes having the strongest performing car at the start of the new Formula 1 regulations implemented for this season, Russell had been considered a clear favourite for the title given the significant edge in experience the 28-year-old holds over Antonelli.

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Despite Russell's consistently impressive performances since joining Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate in 2022, there has been intermittent speculation over his future with the team over the last couple of years amid Wolff's interest in signing four-time world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull.

Asked by Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle on Thursday whether his relationship with Wolff remains "rock solid", Russell replied: "Yeah, for sure.

"I mean, firstly, I don't read any of that (speculation) because even the positive press doesn't really bring anything. I just focus on myself."

Russell comments came around the same time Wolff was seen having a lengthy conversation with Verstappen's father Jos outside of Mercedes' hospitality unit in the Montreal paddock.

"We have a super close relationship," Russell continued. "We've been through the tough moments in the last four years trying to bring Mercedes back on top, and now we're in this position that we're both in a fortunate place, that we're fighting for wins week in, week out.

"So, yes, all of that for me is just external noise."

'Toto is very different to other team bosses'

Russell got his Mercedes seat just after the team had sealed an eighth successive constructors' title, but the Brit has had far less opportunities for victories than most anticipated his jump from Williams would bring, with Red Bull and McLaren dominating under the previous set of regulations.

Throughout his time as Mercedes chief, Wolff has shown his willingness to let his drivers battle for titles, most notably when Hamilton and Nico Rosberg fiercely duelled over several seasons.

Asked by Brundle whether Wolff was different to team principals who might only be able to "love one driver at a time", Russell said: "Toto is very different to a lot of team bosses in Formula 1.

"I think you saw it with Lewis and Nico that he's always given that equal opportunity to both.

"Even when it was Lewis and I, and Kimi and I last year, Mercedes have never been a team to bring an update just to one driver, they always bring it together.

"And he's made it clear that there's equal opportunity. So, it's down to us to sort the rest, as it should be."

Antonelli trying to 'avoid as many distractions as possible'

Having gone from title outsider to favourite after claiming the first three victories of his career in succession, Antonelli says he is trying to avoid the potential distractions that come with his raised profile.

"Social media I don't look at all during the race week. I try to avoid as many distractions as possible," the 19-year-old said on Thursday.

"All I want is just to try and be as focused as possible on the goal of the weekend, so focusing on the process, on what I have to do.

"I know expectations are very high now, especially after this strong start of the year.

"But I try not to worry too much about it and not get carried away from it. I just try to, as I did all the other weekends, just try to focus on what I have to do and, also, enjoying as well the weekend, enjoying the driving.

"I know if I do these things well, which is also staying present in every moment, that a good result will come."

Sky Sports F1's Canadian GP schedule

Friday May 22
1.55pm: F1 Academy Practice
3pm: F2 Practice
5pm: Canadian GP Practice One (session starts at 5.30pm)*
6.55pm: F2 Qualifying*
7.40pm: Team Bosses' Press Conference*
9pm: Canadian GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 9.30pm)*
10.55pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*

Saturday May 23
2.40pm: F1 Academy Race 1
4pm: Canadian GP Sprint build-up
5pm: CANADIAN GP SPRINT
6.30pm: Ted's Sprint Notebook
7pm: F2 Sprint*
8.10pm: Canadian GP Qualifying build-up*
9pm: CANADIAN GP QUALIFYING*
11pm: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.45pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday May 24
3.40pm: F1 Academy Race 3
5pm: F2 Feature Race
7.30pm: Canadian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
9pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX*
11am: Canadian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
12am: Ted's Notebook*

*Also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 heads to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and another Sprint weekend. Watch live on Sky Sports F1 from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime