George Russell is approaching his future in Formula 1 with Mercedes in a distinctive way by taking time over the summer to carefully consider his options both on and off the track.
Ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, the British driver explained how this unique contract situation is being managed collaboratively with the team, allowing him to reflect on his priorities while ensuring any agreement is handled properly.
Russell has reflected on his long-standing relationship with the German outfit previously, praising the team’s support and the alignment of goals shared throughout the partnership ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
However, he described the past six months as a “unique” period in which he had limited influence over his contract, requiring him to focus on his performance to manage the associated risks.
Having reflected on the challenges of this season, the 27-year-old provided an update on his ongoing discussions with the Silver Arrows regarding his future.
“Naturally we wanted to take the summer off to sort of relax and reset, but yeah, positively moving in the right direction,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “But I think as there is no time pressure from the team side and no time pressure from our side, we’re sort of just ensuring it’s done properly.
“Of course, you are sort of juggling priorities, it’s not like the world stops [with] the sort of contract we’ve got to worry about. Race weekends, we’re focussing on future development, already looking ahead to next year, sponsorship days.
“Things sometimes do take longer than you would anticipate, but as I said, positively going in the right direction.”
George Russell celebrated another podium finish at the Hungarian GP
Russell reflects on the role of the summer break in Mercedes contract talks
The summer break has provided Russell with an opportunity to carefully consider his contractual relationship with Mercedes, including the balance of power between himself and the team.
He went on to explain that while discussions have only recently resumed, the process is moving in a positive direction with no strict timeline, allowing both sides to ensure the agreement is handled properly.
“I mean definitely the summer break was a very good time for me to think about my whole situation,” he added. “What I want for my future, not just on track but everything that happens off track, as there’s a lot more to our role than just driving the cars on a Sunday afternoon.
“Those conversations have really been picked up this week, not really through the break, because that was more my decision, I wanted to take the time off.
“Toto [Wolff] and the team were very willing to work through the summer break to come to a sort of resolution, but I wanted just to take that time because those weeks are pretty precious for all of us [drivers].
“It’s, as I said, moving in a positive direction, so I think we’re getting closer to being on the same page with a few things and hopefully in the coming… realistically we’re talking maybe a number of weeks before anything really happens.
“But there’s no major rush and I don’t want to really put a timeline on it. When it will happen, it will happen. If that’s next week, a month, two months, three months, it’ll be what it’ll be.”
When asked whether the contractual length was causing the delay, Russell replied: “I think there’s pros and cons into having short-term, long-term [contracts]. I think for me this season has proved more than ever, ultimately it always comes down to performance.
“The number that is stated in the contract is ultimately just a number, but it’s obviously something I’m thinking about what I want.
“The truth is I want to win with Mercedes, I want to win a world championship and that is my number one goal and I hope that to be here with the team.
“But of course I’m 28 next year, I’m still pretty young, but at some point I need to make sure everything is right and that we’re all headed in the right direction. So as I said, I hope that can be with Mercedes.”
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