George Russell has expressed that he holds no resentment regarding the rumors connecting Max Verstappen to Mercedes. Although uncertainty surrounds Russell’s own contract talks, he remains calm and patient about his future with the team. This comes amid ongoing speculation about contracts and potential driver moves as the 2025 Formula 1 season progresses.
Neither Russell nor his teammate Kimi Antonelli has officially secured their seats at Mercedes for the 2026 season. Earlier in the year, Verstappen was linked with a possible surprising move to Mercedes after Red Bull’s unsteady start in 2025. While Red Bull has since strengthened its performance, including Verstappen’s victories at Imola and Suzuka, he remains third in the Drivers’ Championship standings, trailing leader Oscar Piastri by 43 points.
Background on Max Verstappen’s current contract and championship battles
Despite rumors, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made it clear in March that pursuing Verstappen was not currently a priority for the team, following a public attempt last year. Verstappen’s contract reportedly includes a clause allowing him to exit Red Bull if he falls outside the top four by the Hungarian Grand Prix break, scheduled for August 3. Currently, Verstappen comfortably holds a 41-point lead over fifth-placed Charles Leclerc, while Russell sits fourth in the rankings.
After his win at the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell commented:
“There haven’t been any hard feelings with any of the talks that have been going around, especially around Max,”
—George Russell, Mercedes F1 driver
He added that it is natural for teams to show interest in Verstappen given his outstanding reputation:
“Like I said numerous times, why wouldn’t teams be interested in Max? If every driver had no contracts for next year, Max would be No 1 for every single team. And that’s understandable.”
—George Russell
Russell is confident in his position within Mercedes, emphasizing that continued strong performances will secure his seat.
“But ultimately, there are two seats for every race team. I knew if I continue to perform as I’m doing, my position would not be under threat whatsoever. So, I feel in a good place.”
—George Russell
Current status of Russell’s contract and loyalty to Mercedes
Amid recent reports from Autosport indicating that Aston Martin may be targeting Russell for 2026 to spearhead their project, Russell has dismissed these claims. He reaffirmed his commitment to Mercedes, the team that launched his Formula 1 career.
“I’m not talking with anybody else and any teams who have shown interest,”
—George Russell
Russell emphasized his loyalty and the success he and Kimi Antonelli have shared this season, stating:
“I have been quite open to say my intentions are to stay with Mercedes. That’s always been clear. And I am loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this chance to get into Formula 1.”
—George Russell
He further highlighted the success of the junior drivers and questioned why change would be necessary:
“We’re getting a result like Canada, both junior drivers from Mercedes. We’re both doing the job in terms of performance. Why would you want to change something that’s working?”
—George Russell
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff on Russell’s contract and role
Since joining Mercedes in 2022 from Williams, Russell has consistently proven himself as the team’s lead driver, especially following Lewis Hamilton’s departure at the end of 2024. In their three campaigns as teammates, Russell accumulated just two fewer points than Hamilton and outperformed the seven-time world champion in their final season together.
This year, Russell has achieved four podium finishes, including Mercedes’ first victory of 2025 in Canada.
Regarding Russell’s contract timeline, Wolff reassured that everything is proceeding as expected:
“He’s been so long with us,”
“He’s growing and the steps he’s made from that young driver in Williams, then coming to Mercedes at a difficult time, being on par with Lewis, and since Lewis left, being clearly the senior driver in the team, and it comes natural.”
“It’s not like there’s some politics. He’s just taken the place that he merits and deserves. The ambience in the team is great, and we’ve agreed on some kind of timeline when we want to settle these things.”
Wolff also noted the packed schedule that the team is navigating:
“With triple-headers getting out of the way, then one race after the other in June and July, but we’re going to get there.”
—Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal
He remarked on Russell’s long-standing history with Mercedes, dating back to 2016 as a junior driver:
“He’s been a Mercedes junior since he was 2016. It isn’t dependent on whether he wins a race or performs because we know he can.”
—Toto Wolff
Wolff concluded when asked about the status of a new deal for Russell:
“[It is] all on plan.”
Expert analysis of Russell’s Canadian Grand Prix performance and future
Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle praised Russell’s dominant run in Canada, noting his pole position, fastest lap, and smooth race victory as a sign of growing maturity and confidence.
Brundle commented:
“We saw last year he pretty much got the upper hand on Lewis. He’s flourished as team leader. He’s out of the shadow of Lewis, who he still refers to as ‘the GOAT’, which I respect, and says, ‘I learned from Lewis’.”
—Martin Brundle, F1 Analyst
On why Mercedes have not rushed into renewing Russell’s contract, Brundle pointed out the strategic value in timing:
“I suspect they think it’s pushing George on. Maybe they think, ‘George is going well in this environment, let’s not waste the runway’.”
—Martin Brundle
Looking ahead: The season and forthcoming races
As the 2025 season continues, the F1 calendar moves back to Europe with the Austrian Grand Prix scheduled for June 27-29, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. With the summer break approaching and the intense triple-header races completed, teams will likely finalize their contract decisions and driver lineups for 2026 in the coming months.
For now, George Russell maintains his focus on delivering strong performances for Mercedes while remaining patient on contract discussions amid ongoing Max Verstappen Mercedes speculation and contracts developments.