By taking a dominant victory in Formula 1‘s Singapore Grand Prix, George Russell has not only seen his stock rise, but also improved his hand in contract talks with Mercedes.
Russell and Toto Wolff have been at pains to reassure that a deal to extend the Briton’s stay at Mercedes is nothing more than a formality, with only a few finishing touches needed.
Speculation around Russell’s future continues to spark conversation in the F1 paddock. But look past the PR, a simple question arises: why, if only a formality, is a deal taking so long?
Time is money in F1; the more that passes, the more questions will be asked of Mercedes.
A dominant win could and should force Wolff and the board to pin Russell down as a cheetah does to its prey.
Yet, the silence from Mercedes is deafening, the Silver Arrows seemingly refusing to deviate from its contract negotiations, even if this places it at a disadvantage.
Make no mistake, Russell now holds all the ace cards in the contract game of poker.
His win in Singapore changes the stakes considerably; Russell no longer needs a poker face – his advantage is now too obvious to hide.
When asked about the situation in the immediate aftermath of the race by Sky Germany, Wolff simply said “both set” in relation to Russell and Antonelli’s contracts.
The cryptic response outlines Mercedes’ almost narrow view, dogmatic approach. But this now threatens to derail its attempts to secure Russell’s signature.
The elephant in the room in Mercedes contract poker
Arriving at the Marina Bay circuit on Thursday, Russell and Wolff were separately pressed on the subject.
Analysing what the Briton said in his interviews is rather telling. While it does state negotiations are continuing, it hints at delays that could be avoided.
“No, I think for any driver, when you get to a certain point in your career, things have to be done right,” he addressed.
“I think every time you renew a contract, it’s the most important one of your life and it has to be done with good care. There’s nothing to worry about and it will get done.
“No, I don’t think [I’m a tough negotiator]. I think it’s just about something that is fair, mutually beneficial.
“I think that’s what we all chase. It’s obviously different for certain drivers who may have a bit more power, may have a bit less power, but as I said, no more updates, nothing to report.
“I’ll be glad to tell you all once there is. I’ll leave it there.”
The key phrase here is “mutually beneficial”. Russell is almost outright saying that he does not believe the offer currently presented does give him what he feels he deserves.
F1 contracts are a peculiar notion. Like a myth, they both exist and do not exist in equal measure.
On the one hand, a contract exists to tie a driver down to certain conditions, such as Max Verstappen’s infamous performance break clause.
However, history has shown they can easily be ripped up for the right price, not worth the paper they are printed on in some instances.
In the case of Russell and Mercedes, it seems both are chasing an iron-clad agreement.
That he cannot get over the final hurdle indicates Russell has been holding out for a final ace card, bolstered by dominating his team-mate this season.
Problems on the other side of the garage
Whilst Russell has enjoyed a competitive season, the same cannot be said of his rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli. A promising start quickly went off the rails.
Russell has dominated his team-mate 15-1 in qualifying and a massive 149 points difference to the young Italian.
Any concern Russell would be usurped as team-eader has been silenced.
Mercedes is now unquestionably Russell’s domain, unthinkable a few seasons ago after arriving as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate.
This is yet another card in Russell’s stacked deck against Mercedes. His win in Canada underlined his credentials as a driver in a team that has been cut adrift since 2022.
The problems on the other side of the garage have played perfectly into Russell’s hands, increasing his leverage and allowing him to demand more from his employers.
Russell holds the cards with latest breakthrough
Singapore just saw Russell’s stock increase tenfold.
Arriving at a circuit that on paper did not suit the W16, Russell quietly went about his business, even if it did involve a collision with the barriers in FP1.
By qualifying, he looked imperious, and threw down the gauntlet in Q3 with a lap that even an in-form Max Verstappen could not better.
Russell admitted surprise at his pole position, and, lining up next to Verstappen, fireworks were a real possibility.
Instead, he nailed his start, giving the Dutchman, known for his aggressive starts and race-craft, any opportunity to pass him.
Once he was safely through Turn 1, Russell never looked back and was in complete control of the race.
Rewind to two years ago, and the situation was very dire indeed. Crashing out in the closing laps of the 2023 race, mistakes were rife, and consistency was lacking.
The difference in Russell now is stark, and should Mercedes fail to lock him down, many other suitors lie in waiting.
2026 is seen by many as the dawn of a new era for F1. A massive technical overhaul for the cars and new power units, Mercedes is clearly the best place for the Briton.
But should Mercedes continue to dawdle with their negotiations, Red Bull could come calling.
It is an unlikely and unrealistic scenario, but these would not be real negotiations.
Instead, it would act as further leverage for Russell to use against Mercedes to get the contract negotiations wrapped up on his terms.
The game is nearing its end, and Russell looks set to win big. If Mercedes has anything left in its hand to turn the tables and get a win, the time is fast approaching.
Right now, Russell’s hand is looking near unbeatable. Singapore may be the final ace in the hole to get a deal that rivals F1’s elite.
READ MORE – How banishing his Singapore demons validated the step George Russell has made in F1 2025
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