George Russell on the brink of signing fresh Mercedves contract, shares plans should Max Verstappen join as teammate in F1
In the world of Formula 1, the future of some of its top drivers is a subject of much discussion. George Russell, currently driving for Mercedes, and Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion with Red Bull, are no exceptions.
Russell, who has been a part of Mercedes' junior program and is managed by them, has expressed his loyalty to the team. His current contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the 2025 season, and talks about his extension have been delayed largely due to Mercedes' interest in signing Verstappen. However, Russell remains very confident about staying with Mercedes in 2026.
"The likelihood of me leaving Mercedes next year is exceptionally low," Russell asserted. He added that there is no strict deadline for the contract talks but expects a decision before the Formula 1 summer break in August. Russell also mentioned that he is open to partnering with Verstappen if the latter joins Mercedes.
Meanwhile, Verstappen has not specified which other racing opportunities he is considering, but he has expressed his desire to prepare for racing outside of Formula 1 in the future. He is currently testing in other racing areas, including GT3.
Toto Wolff, Russell's boss at Mercedes, has held talks with Verstappen about a potential move, but no finalized decisions have been made yet. This ongoing situation has created uncertainty around Russell's contract extension, although official confirmation seems imminent according to Russell's statements.
Russell believes that Kimi Antonelli could be the driver to make way for Verstappen at Mercedes, should Verstappen join the team. However, he reiterated his loyalty to Mercedes and stated that he does not think he will be going anywhere. Whoever his teammate is, Russell said, does not concern him.
A new offer is expected to be presented to Russell before the Belgian Grand Prix, which is set to take place this weekend. As for Verstappen, there is currently no information about him making a move to Mercedes or Aston Martin.
The British Grand Prix, another significant event in the Formula 1 calendar, is taking place at Silverstone this weekend. Despite the speculation surrounding him, Verstappen remains a driver for Red Bull, and his future with the team is yet to be determined.
In summary, while negotiations continue and the Mercedes-Verstappen discussions create some uncertainty, George Russell is strongly positioned to remain with Mercedes into 2026 with contract resolution expected soon. Russell's confidence in his future with the team, coupled with his openness to partnering with Verstappen if the latter joins Mercedes, suggests a positive outlook for both drivers and the team.
George Russell, despite the ongoing negotiations and the potential for Max Verstappen joining Mercedes, appears confident about staying with his current team in 2026, as he asserted the likelihood of him leaving Mercedes next year is low. On the other hand, Max Verstappen, while testing in other racing areas, has not specified any other racing opportunities he is considering, but has expressed his desire to prepare for racing outside of Formula 1 in the future.
