Mercedes AMG Formula One driver George Russell has opened up about the status of his contract extension, which was reportedly put on hold due to Mercedes’ talks with Max Verstappen.
After talks with Verstappen fell apart as he wished to continue racing for Red Bull, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed before the summer break that the team will go in the direction of signing Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. However, he has yet to put pen to paper.
Russell has been the team’s top performer and has consistently delivered results this season. At the most recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Briton started the race from fifth and secured a P2 podium spot. He is currently placed fourth in the Drivers’ Standings with 212 points, 43 less than Verstappen in P3 with 255 points.
With seven rounds remaining for the conclusion of the 2025 season, Russell was asked about the status of his contract extension at the Marina Bay Street Circuit with still nothing being confirmed. He said:
“Surprise. No dates to give you. I told you you’d be the first to know when there’s something to report.”
“I think for any driver, when you get to a certain point in your career, things have to be done right.
“Every time you renew a contract, it’s the most important one of your life, and it has to be done with good care. There’s nothing to worry about, and it will get done when it gets done.”
However, Russell confirmed that the progress with his contract has not halted entirely, highlighting his busy F1 schedule. He appears quite confident in securing his Mercedes seat for the 2026 season, when F1 enters a new era of regulations. When asked if there was a danger of negotiations going beyond the end of the current season, he said:
“No, I don’t think so. It shouldn’t, to be honest.
“Yeah, things are moving and progressing. And as I’ve said on numerous occasions before, between races, it’s not like we sit at home on the sofa with our feet up and nothing else is going on.
“I’ve been in Brackley and Brixworth this week, working hard on the sim, looking ahead also to next year. Last week, a couple of sponsor events, training, getting back in shape.
“So, our schedules are extremely busy. And as I said, there is no necessary danger of that happening. But if it does, it does — but I don’t expect it to.”
