F1 analyst Peter Windsor criticized Mercedes for focusing on securing Max Verstappen instead of prioritizing George Russell‘s contract extension. Windsor labelled the effort by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff to acquire Verstappen as a “waste of time,” emphasizing the value Mercedes already has in Russell amid the ongoing 2025 season.
Red Bull, Verstappen’s current team, has faced challenges this season after dominating previous years under 2022 regulations. With only two wins in the first 14 races of 2025, Verstappen trails behind McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. This dip in performance sparked rumors that Verstappen might leave Red Bull, attracting Mercedes’ interest despite having Russell as their promising driver.
Reports suggest that Toto Wolff actively pursued Verstappen up until the summer break but ultimately failed as Verstappen recommitted to Red Bull until 2028. Following this, Mercedes shifted their focus to finalizing Russell’s contract extension, expected to be confirmed soon, either during or after the summer break.
Peter Windsor Critiques Mercedes’ Misplaced Focus on Verstappen
During a discussion with YouTuber Cameron Cc, Peter Windsor expressed frustration at Mercedes’ approach. He argued that Wolff misallocated his priorities by chasing Verstappen instead of giving full attention to their own talent, George Russell. Windsor said,
“A little bit like Ferrari, Toto got his priorities completely wrong there. If indeed he was spending so much time trying to get Max… But having said that, everybody in the community is saying that he was desperately trying to get Max.”
“Well, you know, wasted time. He should have been looking after George, making George feel even more comfortable and confident, but spending much more effort getting Adrien, which he never did,”
Windsor’s comments underline the tension within Mercedes’ management strategy as they balance their ambitions with the reality of driver loyalty and performance.
George Russell Confident About His Contract Renewal with Mercedes
George Russell recently addressed his future with Mercedes ahead of a contract extension. Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, the British driver spoke to Sky Sports, reassuring fans and the team about his position. Russell stated,
“He [Toto Wolff] has got nothing to be worried about, I’ve got nothing to be worried about. Nothing is going to happen over the summer because I just want to have a rest and recharge and come back stronger for the second half of the year but there’s no time pressure either way. It will happen when it happens, it’s a when not if.”
Russell currently stands fourth in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship with 172 points after 14 races and three sprint events. His teammate, Kimi Antonelli, holds seventh place with 64 points, while Mercedes remains third in the Constructors’ Championship with 236 points.
Implications for Mercedes and F1’s Competitive Landscape
The insistence on targeting Verstappen despite having a strong candidate in George Russell highlights Mercedes’ struggles to adapt strategically amid shifting team dynamics. Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull until 2028 and the upcoming contract renewal for Russell signal a likely strengthened partnership within the Mercedes camp.
While Mercedes wrestled with internal decisions in 2025, Red Bull‘s downturn and the rise of teams like McLaren have added complexity to the championship battle. Settling Russell’s contract will offer Mercedes stability, allowing them to concentrate fully on improving their competitiveness in the second half of the season and beyond.