George Russell has implied that Mercedes‘ involvement in ongoing discussions with Max Verstappen is behind his wait to sign a new deal with the team in Formula 1.
Russell’s existing contract is due to expire once the current season concludes and he revealed prior to the Canadian Grand Prix that talks over a renewal were on hold.
However, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff reiterated post-race in Montreal – where Russell clinched the win – that conversations would continue at a suitable time.
Russell, who has been among the standout drivers in 2025 with five podiums in 10 races, has expressed that he harbours no concerns about his contractual situation.
Asked whether negotiations with Mercedes were proceeding, the Briton told Sky Sports F1 in Austria: “Yeah, a little bit. 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.”
Is Mercedes courting Verstappen again?
But Mercedes not rushing to tie Russell down to an extension has triggered speculation that Wolff is waiting to see whether Verstappen is open to departing Red Bull.
Wolff has twice missed out on landing Verstappen, including 12 months ago when he named the Dutchman as his top target to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.
Russell has seemed to indicate that Mercedes is once again courting the reigning F1 champion, whose deal with Red Bull – that runs until 2028 – includes exit clauses.
“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,” Russell explained.
“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.”
Russell suggested that any hold-up could be related to Wolff’s indecision about whether pairing him and Verstappen would be suitable, given the pair’s explosive past.
The duo became embroiled in a heated exchange at the season finale in Abu Dhabi in 2024 over an incident at the previous race in Qatar that denied Verstappen pole.
Russell added: “Toto has made it clear to me that he thinks how I’m performing this year is as good as anybody.
“I think there’s only one driver that you can debate in terms of performance – these are his words, these are not my words – so that’s why I have no concern about the future.
“But there’s two seats at every team and I guess he needs to think, who are those two drivers going to be for those two seats, and I guess that’s what the delay is.”
Russell wants Mercedes extension
Regardless, Russell, who is rumoured to be an option that Aston Martin is considering, stressed that his desire is to continue into F1’s next era in 2026 with Mercedes.
“For sure, I want to be in the seat that’s going to give me the best chance to win, and ultimately, nothing would make me happier than winning with Mercedes because they’re the ones that helped me get my opportunity and I’ve built such a relationship with everybody in this team,” he emphasised.
“But right now, there’s only one thing for me to focus on and that’s driving fast. If you’re driving quick, there’s nothing to worry about. And if you’re not, that’s when people start talking.”
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