George Russell has insisted he won’t signal his new Mercedes System 1 contract over the present summer season break because the Briton is eager to not rush proceedings.
The 27-year-old’s deal expires on the finish of the 2025 season and has been a serious speaking level in current weeks as Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen was touted for a transfer to Mercedes.
However forward of final weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen confirmed he was not leaving Crimson Bull, which means it’s all however sure that Russell and his team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, whose contract additionally expires this yr, will stay with Mercedes.
Contract signings usually happen through the annual summer season break, however Russell revealed he anticipated nothing to occur earlier than F1 returns for the Dutch Grand Prix on 29-31 August.
“I’ve received nothing to be apprehensive about,” Russell instructed Sky Sports activities F1 on Sunday. “And nothing’s going to occur over summer season as a result of, truthfully, I simply wish to have a relaxation and recharge and are available again stronger for the second half of the yr.
George Russell, Mercedes
Photograph by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
“However there is no time strain both means now. So it will occur when it would occur.”
Russell, a long-time Mercedes junior, joined the Silver Arrows in 2022 after spending his first three F1 campaigns on mortgage at Williams.
He has received 4 grands prix for Mercedes however by no means been in an F1 title struggle, regardless of the squad successful eight consecutive constructors’ titles earlier than he joined.
So, with the 2026 pecking order unknown given the incoming regulation adjustments, Russell needs to make sure the situations of his subsequent contract are proper – however acknowledged “it’s a when, not if” he’ll signal.
“I am 27 now, I have been with the workforce for 4 years,” he added. “Subsequent yr can be my fifth. We wish to construct the connection collectively, nevertheless it’s received to be proper and I do not wish to rush it.
“I have been ready 12 months. I am not going to only rush it in the midst of two weeks. So we’ll sit down when the time is true.”
The contract saga has come amid a really sturdy season for Russell, who’s fourth within the championship, having received in Canada, and has been a standout driver for a lot of.
That’s the reason his boss Toto Wolff holds Russell within the highest regard, claiming “George has all the time had good playing cards” with regards to a contract extension.
George Russell, Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Mercedes
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
“He’s delivered since 2018 [his F2 title-winning year], there wasn’t a season he wasn’t there,” added Wolff post-race in Hungary, the place Russell completed third.
“Nothing modified that in our considering for subsequent yr, so simply since you do not discuss [externally] doesn’t suggest that issues aren’t progressing in a means they need to internally.
“In relation to the contract, let’s examine. We are going to come out and see what sort of phrases we’ve put ahead, however positively his standing within the workforce is powerful. He has proven it once more at this time.”
Extra reporting by Christian Nimmervoll
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