George Russell is performing strongly in the 2025 Formula 1 season: Why he has not yet signed a contract extension with Mercedes
George Russell has made it clear that he will not sign his new Formula 1 contract with Mercedes during the summer break.
Russell told Sky at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix: “Nothing will happen in the summer because I want to switch off, relax and go into the second half of the season feeling refreshed. There’s no time pressure. It will happen when it’s meant to happen. And there’s nothing I need to worry about.”
Russell’s contract expires at the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season. This has been the focus of attention in recent weeks due to speculation about a move from Red Bull driver Max Verstappen to Mercedes. However, Verstappen has now confirmed that he will remain with Red Bull. This should also secure Russell’s place at Mercedes.
Long-time Mercedes driver Russell joined the Mercedes factory team in 2022 after spending three years at Williams. He has won four Grand Prix races for Mercedes so far, but has never been involved in the World Championship title fight.
Russell is determined to stay at Mercedes
Because the new Formula 1 rules in 2026 could change the balance of power, Russell wants to ensure that his contract contains the right conditions. However, he emphasized: “It’s a question of when, not if.”
“I’m 27 years old now and have been with the team for four years. We want to develop the relationship together, but it has to be right, and I don’t want to rush anything.“
He has already ”waited a year“ and will not ”suddenly rush through contract negotiations with Mercedes within two weeks,“ Russell continued. ”When the time is right, we’ll sit down together.”
The contract issue comes during a strong season for Russell: he won in Canada, is fourth in the drivers’ standings and is considered one of the outstanding drivers of the year.
Why Wolff is convinced about Russell
Team boss Toto Wolff praises him: “George has been delivering since his Formula 2 title in 2018. He has been impressive in every season so far. His standing in the team is strong. He proved that again in Hungary.“
That’s why Mercedes wants to keep Russell. ”Our assessment hasn’t changed. Just because we’re not talking about it publicly doesn’t mean nothing is happening behind the scenes,” explains Wolff.
“George has always had a strong hand in contract negotiations. We will announce the length of the contract we are considering soon.”
Mercedes will choose a “good moment” to do so, possibly the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Wolff describes the chances of this happening as “50:50.”
Antonelli steps up before the summer break
Perhaps Wolff will then announce contract extensions with both drivers. Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s contract for 2026 has also yet to be confirmed.
Antonelli scored points in Hungary for the first time since finishing third in Canada. “I feel like the pace is coming back. I can build on that and get better,” he explains.
“Toto has always supported me. He knows that when everything comes together, we can reach our full potential.”
Wolff sees it the same way. He said in an interview with Sky: “No one needs to worry. Everything [is] fine. We’ll keep going.”
