George Russell has admitted contract discussions with Mercedes for the 2026 Formula 1 season and beyond have not crossed his mind at this stage.
Russell, who is managed by the Silver Arrows, began racing for the German marque in 2022 and picked up his maiden Grand Prix victory that year at São Paulo.
The Briton, hailing from Kings Lynn, added a further GP win at the Red Bull Ring this July and had an inspired victory at Spa-Francorchamps taken away from him after a disqualification when his Mercedes W15 was found to be underweight.
Russell has largely matched his seven-time world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton and will face up against teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli through his contract year in 2025.
“It’s super exciting for 2026 with Mercedes,” Russell told select media including Motorsport Week.
“There’s nothing signed up yet for the future, and it’s something I’m not even thinking about, really.”
After Mercedes found itself in a bad way following the introduction of the ground effect aero regulations in 2022, the Brackley-based team has been revitalised in 2024, winning three Grands Prix.
Speaking after his would-be win at Spa, Russell believes 2025 represents a title-run opportunity.
“I think for all of us, It’s been a difficult couple of years getting the car into a place where we can consistently fight for victories,” Russell said.
“But, you know, I’m so motivated, so excited for the second half of the season, which is ultimately building up towards 2025.”
With ambitions set on lofty targets in 2025 it’s no wonder that Russell is yet to cast his mind to contract extensions, but it looks like he needn’t worry on that front.
Antonelli is widely regarded as the team’s future and in the build up to the Italian was announced as Hamilton’s replacement for 2025.
Although Team Principal Toto Wolff spent months courting Max Verstappen in the media, it appears he has settled on a long-term Russell/Antonelli partnership at Mercedes.
During the Antonelli announcement press conference at Monza during the Italian Grand Prix weekend the Austrian said, “these two are the future, they have been and will be Mercedes drivers.
“Therefore we have contracts with George and Kimi that go much longer that are very complicated in terms of options etcetera.
“This is a pressure cooker, Mercede always has been a pressure cooker, but this is where we stand as a team today, we want to go with these two.”
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