George Russell has expressed that his prolonged contract talks with Mercedes throughout 2025 proved “no distraction” during the Formula 1 campaign.
Russell was a standout driver in 2025, ending the year with two wins among nine podiums, helping Mercedes to second in the Constructors’ Championship.
The Briton excelled despite speculation hanging over his future, with persistent rumours earlier in the campaign about the team’s interest in Max Verstappen.
Despite Verstappen’s public commitment to Red Bull coming prior to the summer break, Russell had to wait a while longer for an announcement to arrive.
Mercedes delayed any confirmation until after Russell’s win in Singapore, one which sealed Russell’s fate as a Mercedes driver for at least another season.
Speaking to the media, Russell was probed on whether the protracted wait to put pen to paper on a new deal had affected his relationships within the team.
“Yeah, to a degree, but I wouldn’t say that was because of the conversations that… let’s say, less of a contract saga as such,” he responded.
Russell explained that his mindset was straightforward, regardless of the external noise.
“But, it’s very simple. Sometimes you’re appreciated if you think you’re getting your worth, and you feel unappreciated if you’re not, regardless of conversations that are going on.”
However, those feelings vanished once Mercedes communicated that he would be remaining in an unchanged line-up next season alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
“So that was kind of rectified quite quickly when we signed the deal, and for me, it was as simple as that,” he reflected. “It was no distraction. I just focused on the racing.”
Lessons learned amid contract uncertainty
Russell acknowledged that the situation provided several lessons. The Briton mainly believes that the situation forced him to realise where his priorities should lie.
“I guess there’s also some lessons for me that whatever the noise is that’s going on externally, there’s no real need to worry too much about that,” he said.
“You can be the nicest guy or the most hated one, but if you get in the car and you do the job, nobody remembers or thinks about the rest. They only care about the lap times.”
Russell revealed that his toughest test came in Singapore, where growing tensions surrounding his negotiations coincided with the most physically demanding race on the calendar.
“I guess I never doubted it, but until, like, how my performances would be under certain scrutiny…” Russell explained.
“With those regards, Singapore was probably the weekend where the heat was turned up the most in terms of our negotiations, and that was the weekend where I had my best race of the year.”
Regardless of the circumstances, Russell insisted he never believed the situation would either elevate or hinder his driving.
“So yeah, I guess I am proud of how I dealt with everything, but I never doubted it,” he said.
“I didn’t think it was going to improve my performance. I didn’t think it was going to make my performance worse.”
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