Russell denies Mercedes favouring AntonelliGeorge Russell has dismissed suggestions Mercedes is giving preferential treatment to teenage teammate Kimi Antonelli amid the Italian's standout 2026 campaign. I did hear on the grapevine that there is chatter about favouritism, Russell told the Daily Mail. Another former driver Ralf Schumacher, however, believes Russell still has Mercedes boss Toto Wolff's full backing. George Russell has known Toto Wolff for a long time, he told Sky Deutschland. Toto Wolff laid out his view of the situation very clearly, he said.