Mercedes Formula One driver George Russell has revealed that the past months have not been “reassuring” for him and his rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, given the situation around their contract extension that remains pending.
Russell’s and Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes contracts expire at the end of 2025, but with the summer break approaching after this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, there is no sign of an extension yet.
Recent rumors about Max Verstappen’s move to Mercedes in 2026 have put Russell and Kimi Antonelli under the spotlight, especially Russell, since he broke the news of Mercedes’ talks with Verstappen. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also revealed publicly that he was interested in signing Verstappen for the future.
But despite the four-time world champion’s clarification that he will stay at Red Bull next year, the Mercedes drivers are yet to see a contract on the table. Russell has pledged his loyalty to Mercedes in the past, and when it was put to him if he should stop depending on Mercedes and look for other options, he told the media:
“I mean, from my whole career, until last year, the team have supported me so much and given me such amazing opportunities, and our goals have been aligned, and what has been in the best interest of the team has also been in the best interest of me.
“Now, of course, these last six months has been a very unique situation where, you know, I don’t have a huge power in that sort of agreement, and maybe the interests were not aligned for some time, which, of course, puts me at risk for these last six months, but then it was my job to perform and reduce that risk.
“So, yeah, I don’t know. To be honest, I don’t wish for it to come to anything like that. I still trust Toto and I still trust in the team that they will always support me as long as I am performing. So that’s what I need to focus on.
“But of course, for both Kimi and I, these past months have not been the most assuring for our future, and that’s just been, yeah, a bit conflicting.”
When asked if a multi-year contract extension was right for him, Russell stated that what matters most to him is winning. He said:
“It’s something we need to think about. What is in the interest of both parties, really. What do I want from this, as much as what do Mercedes want. There has been, obviously, a bit of a unique situation we found ourselves in over these last six months. The fact is, from my side, I want to win. That is the only thing I care about.
“More than money, more than the number of days I do sponsorship. More than anything, I want to win, and that, for me, is the most important thing about my future.”
But Russell’s priority after the race at the Hungaroring is to go on holiday. He added:
“But you know, truth is, I’ve never feared losing my seat, and that’s not even been on the table once this year, even though, of course, you guys like to make a big deal out of it.
“Maybe 12 months ago, I was a bit more anxious and wanting to get something sorted or confirmed for ’26. Maybe six months ago, I felt the same. But now, I’m performing better than ever. I still feel I’ve got more to give.
“I’ve waited so long, and I think now I want to get through this weekend. I want to go on a holiday next week and enjoy the break. And there is no time pressure my side. There is no time pressure from the team’s side. So whenever we come to an agreement, we’ll get it done. But it’s got to be right both ways.”
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