Ralf Schumacher has noticed a sign of ‘unrest’ between Toto Wolff and George Russell at Mercedes

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Toto Wolff has been in battle with George Russell over an extension to his current contract with Mercedes, and Ralf Schumacher has noticed that things were reaching a boiling point in the Singapore paddock.

Russell is the only name on the list of current drivers without an officially confirmed drive for the upcoming 2026 season.

Despite the fact that he will certainly be at the wheel of a Mercedes car next year, he is yet to put pen to paper on an extension that will secure his future at the team ahead of the upcoming change to the Formula 1 regulations.

The British driver has given the Silver Arrows his all since his move to the works team ahead of the 2022 term, securing five Grands Prix feats and seven pole positions on his way to cementing himself as one of the top drivers on the grid.

However, the long-winded negotiations have taken their toll on both Russell and Mercedes boss Wolff, with Ralf Schumacher noting some signs of ‘unrest’ between the pair at the most recent race weekend in Singapore.

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Ralf Schumacher has noticed ‘unrest’ between George Russell and Toto Wolff

Russell has been advised to table an ultimatum to Mercedes in order for his future to be wrapped up in an orderly fashion.

That’s just the latest in a long line of tactics that have emerged between the two parties, which have been spurred on following the 27-year-old’s recent victory in Singapore.

Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, former F1 driver Schumacher revealed what he saw between Russell and his Mercedes team in the paddock at the weekend of the Brit’s fifth career win.

“There was also a feeling that there was a bit of unrest,” Schumacher said after noting that Mercedes were surprised by Russell’s victory at the street circuit. “You remember, Toto Wolff had cancelled an interview appointment with us at short notice after the qualifying.

“I almost suspect that this was ultimately the reason, because on Sunday he admitted to us that both drivers are definitely with Mercedes. So, not that they were still negotiating on that Saturday, because somehow, George Russell was not in a good mood.

“I believe a lot was negotiated there. But I think they reached an agreement on that Saturday. That was my feeling a bit, because otherwise Toto Wolff wouldn’t have stood in front of the camera. Rumour has it that Russell no longer wants Toto or, in any form, Toto as an advisor.

“I believe, as a driver, he suffered a bit during the time they publicly flirted with Max Verstappen and pushed him a bit to the side. That’s the feeling you get. So I believe there was tension, and I think especially under these conditions.”

Wolff has managed Russell for the entirety of his F1 career, and since joining the German constructor as a member of the junior team in early 2017, the partnership has been relatively successful so far when taking into account his rise through the junior categories to the works team.

However, Russell is seriously considering a management change due to the conflict of interest that has surfaced in the current negotiations.

Wolff appears to be playing both sides, which can’t be sustainable in the best interests of both parties.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff

Ralf Schumacher thinks George Russell was stung by Toto Wolff’s desire to sign Max Verstappen

As alluded to by Schumacher, Russell was not happy about the links between his own F1 team and the driver with whom he arguably has the fiercest rivalry on track.

There’s no doubt that Russell was stung by the ordeal, as Schumacher went on to elaborate further with, “You have to say, fairly, that Max Verstappen is also better; he is the best in the whole field.

“But still, when your own boss then says, ‘Okay, now you wait a moment, because I might have the opportunity to get someone better than you’, then it’s certainly not nice to realise that.

“If the car is good enough, George Russell can certainly also compete for the championship. Max Verstappen can just do it a little better.”

Mercedes were heavily linked with Verstappen during the summer months following the exit of Christian Horner from Red Bull in July.

The Dutchman ended up declaring his desire to stay at the Austrian constructor. However, the backdown didn’t come without Verstappen setting his own terms on a future exit.