George Russell has made it clear that he won’t be rushing into signing a new contract with Mercedes over the Formula 1 summer break. The 27-year-old Briton’s current deal ends after the 2025 season, and speculation has swirled around his future — especially as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was linked with a potential move to Mercedes. However, Verstappen recently confirmed his intention to remain at Red Bull, which likely secures Russell’s position at Mercedes alongside team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, whose contract also expires this year.
While it’s common for driver contracts to be finalized during the summer pause, Russell explained that he doesn’t anticipate any movement before F1 resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix later in August. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Russell said he wants to take time off to rest and reset before the season’s second half, adding that there’s no urgency to seal the deal. He emphasized that he isn’t under pressure and is confident things will fall into place at the right time.
Russell has been part of the Mercedes family for years, originally joining as a junior driver. He stepped up to the main team in 2022 after a stint at Williams and has since collected four Grand Prix victories, though he hasn’t been in a position to contend for a championship. With major regulation changes set for 2026, Russell is approaching his next contract with care, ensuring it aligns with his long-term ambitions. He remains committed to Mercedes but wants to finalize terms thoughtfully rather than hastily.
Now in his late twenties and having been embedded within Mercedes for several seasons, Russell acknowledged the importance of stability and mutual vision for the future. He reiterated that a new deal is inevitable but insisted on taking a measured approach. Having already waited a year to reassess his career direction, Russell is in no rush to wrap things up within a matter of weeks, preferring to have detailed discussions when both sides are ready.
Russell’s strong performances this season, including a race win in Canada and a podium finish in Hungary, have reinforced his value to Mercedes. Team principal Toto Wolff praised Russell’s consistency since winning the Formula 2 championship in 2018, stating that Russell has never let the team down. Wolff also hinted that internal talks are moving forward smoothly, even if nothing has been made public yet. He assured that Russell remains a key part of Mercedes’ future, pointing to his recent success as further proof of his importance to the team.
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