Despite Max Verstappen’s recent confirmation to remain with Red Bull for the F1 2026 season, the immediate future of George Russell and rising talent Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes has been shrouded in “conflicting” contract discussions, casting a shadow of uncertainty over both drivers’ prospects within the team.
George Russell’s deep-seated association with the Mercedes Formula 1 team has been a constant throughout his entire motorsport career, extending back into his junior racing days. This long-standing relationship, however, recently faced a period of considerable jeopardy, as Russell openly disclosed that “ongoing” high-level talks were underway between the Mercedes hierarchy and four-time World Champion Max Verstappen.
The possibility of Max Verstappen severing his ties with Red Bull and making a high-profile switch to Mercedes appeared genuinely feasible. Speculation suggested that Verstappen possessed an exit clause in his contract, which could be triggered if he fell to P4 or lower in the Drivers’ Championship standings following the Hungarian Grand Prix, a development that undoubtedly influenced the dynamics of Mercedes’ driver market.
Russell further elaborated on the situation, explaining that the Mercedes team felt no immediate pressure or “rush to sign Kimi or I,” primarily because a “longer term overriding deal” was already firmly in place. This pre-existing arrangement granted the team considerable flexibility in navigating the driver market, allowing them to assess all their options without undue haste.
Reflecting on his personal perspective during these tense periods, George Russell admitted to experiencing heightened anxiety about his future. He stated, “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.” However, he also conveyed a renewed sense of confidence, noting, “But now, I’m performing better than ever. I still feel I’ve got more to give.”
The British driver was directly questioned about the nature of his potential new Mercedes contract, specifically whether a multi-year deal would be mutually beneficial for both himself and the team. While the precise terms of his expected agreement were not disclosed, the conversation underscored the importance of long-term stability for top-tier F1 drivers.
While George Russell emphatically stated that he harbored no personal fear of losing his coveted Mercedes seat to Max Verstappen, he did acknowledge the profound impact of the recent contract situation. Russell candidly described the preceding months as “conflicting,” admitting that the protracted discussions did little to provide a sense of assurance for either his own future or that of his young teammate, Kimi Antonelli, within the Mercedes-AMG F1 team.
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