Red Bull Insider Surprised by George Russell’s Contract Status

Former Red Bull driver David Coulthard is surprised about George Russell not having a confirmed seat for the 2026 season, calling it “bizarre.” Russell’s Mercedes contract expires at the end of 2025, but talks of his contract extension are currently on hold, reportedly due to Mercedes’ ongoing discussions with Max Verstappen.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged his interest in signing the four-time world champion but confirmed that Russell and his current teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, will likely form the 2026 driver lineup. However, Wolff didn’t hesitate to admit that Verstappen was on his radar for Mercedes’ long-term future.

Russell has proved his level of performance in the last two years. He outscored his former teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, in the 2024 Drivers’ Standings. Russell also won the Canadian Grand Prix last month, a race that highlighted his capabilities. With the summer break approaching soon, Coulthard finds it “bizarre” that a talent like Russell is left without a seat for 2026. He told F1.com:

“George not being officially signed [for the 2026 season] is slightly bizarre.

“Based on the performance right now, even if there was a change in Mercedes’ line-up, you wouldn’t think it would be George who would be the change.

“There are a few things we’re all waiting on to fall into place.”

Coulthard has hinted that he is eager to see who and when Mercedes signs for the 2026 season. For Russell, though, the priority is to focus on his performance. Revealing that he has no reason to be worried while addressing his contract, the Briton said before the Austrian GP:

“No major updates yet. It’s not something that I’m pressing massively because, as I’ve always said, the performance is the priority, and I feel with the performance I’m showing at the moment – still in line with the performance I’ve shown over all these years – I’ve got zero reasons to be worried.

“But obviously, it does help if there was pen on paper. But let’s see.”

Addressing Mercedes’ talks with Verstappen, Russell added:

“From my side, I don’t think I have anything really to worry about. I think, as a team, it depends where you put your aspirations. We’re second best at the moment, maybe third best. We might be overperforming slightly to be second best.

“As Mercedes, they want to be back on top, and if you’re going to be back on top you need to make sure you’ve got the best drivers, the best engineers, the best pit crew, and that’s what Mercedes are chasing.

“So, it’s only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing. But from my side, if I’m performing as I’m doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula 1 team.”