George Russell has humorously suggested that if he fails to secure a Formula 1 seat for the 2026 season, he might launch a nude calendar as a backup career. Despite an impressive start to the 2025 season, the British driver remains the only prominent name yet to confirm a contract extension with Mercedes. Although a deal is widely anticipated, the ongoing delay fuels speculation over Russell’s next move within the sport.

Russell has expressed a strong desire to continue with Mercedes, a team long rumored to have interest in luring Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. However, recent statements from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff have dismissed Verstappen as a target, even as Russell awaits an official renewal of his agreement. Meanwhile, Aston Martin has emerged unexpectedly as a potential alternative destination for the driver.

Drawing on Bottas’s Playful Legacy for Inspiration

After his victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell lightheartedly referenced a backup plan inspired by former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas. He mentioned German photographer Paul Ripke, who reunited with the team recently and is known for producing Bottas’s nude calendars and iconic looks like the mullet hairstyle.

“We have this crazy German who’s living in Los Angeles who has rejoined us this weekend,”

Russell said, referring to Ripke.

“He’s a friend of Valtteri’s and is probably an inspiration for Valtteri’s nude calendars and the mullet and all of this stuff,”

he added.

“He’s in the room with us today, and he’s the one who said, ‘If I win, we need to jump in the lake.’”

When Max Verstappen jokingly suggested that Russell should consider doing a calendar himself, the Mercedes driver responded with a smile, hinting at its potential necessity for income generation.

“You know? If I don’t have a contract next year, I need to bring the calendar out to bring in the income.”

Mercedes Signals Confidence in Russell’s Abilities

Following Russell’s pole position in Montreal, Toto Wolff hinted that Mercedes is close to finalizing a contract extension. Wolff praised Russell’s performance and leadership within the team, emphasizing trust in his speed and mindset.

“He’s giving us all the reasons to do that quickly,”

Wolff told Sky Sports F1.

“We know what he’s capable of doing and he has been leading this team now since a while. He has the pace and the right attitude.”

“He’s been a Mercedes junior [for] such a long time, and we are on track in doing what we’ve always planned.”

What Lies Ahead for George Russell and Mercedes

As the contract talks remain pending, Russell’s playful remarks about a backup career highlight the uncertain nature of the negotiations, despite an overall optimistic tone. His continued strong performances on track and Wolff’s endorsements suggest a positive outcome, but the delay leaves room for speculation about his potential moves, including interest from Aston Martin. Fans and insiders alike await official news, which will shape the driver lineup for the coming season and beyond.