Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has strongly indicated that George Russell's contract extension with the team is on the horizon, with both parties in "100 percent alignment" regarding the British driver's future. This comes amidst persistent rumors linking Max Verstappen to Mercedes, further fueling speculation about Russell's position within the team.

Russell's current contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the 2025 season. Despite the rumors and the absence of a signed contract, both Wolff and Russell have expressed confidence in their continued partnership. Wolff has dismissed any notion of delaying Russell's contract extension to monitor Verstappen's availability, stating firmly that "There is no such thing as dragging this on, because that is not what we do."

Russell himself acknowledged the uncertainty inherent in Formula 1, stating that "Nothing is certain." However, he also expressed his commitment to Mercedes, emphasizing his loyalty to the team that gave him his start in Formula 1. "My intention and goal is to stay with Mercedes, and I think that's very much the intention of Toto as well," Russell stated. "There's no real reason for either of us to deviate."

Wolff has hinted at a timeline for finalizing the contract, suggesting that an agreement will be reached after the busy period of triple-header races in June and July. This indicates that an announcement could be expected before the summer break in August. "The ambience in the team is great and we've agreed on some kind of timeline when we want to settle these things," Wolff said.

Russell's performance in the 2025 season has further solidified his position within Mercedes. He has consistently delivered strong results, including multiple podium finishes and a dominant win at the Canadian Grand Prix, outperforming both McLarens and Verstappen. His performance has led to him leading the team following Hamilton's departure, and even surpassing his teammate in the driver standings.

Despite the confidence expressed by both Wolff and Russell, speculation persists regarding Mercedes' potential interest in Verstappen. Russell acknowledges that Verstappen will always be "on the radar" for top teams, given his status as "one of the GOATs." However, he also believes that he has proven his worth to Mercedes through his consistent performance and dedication to the team.

Russell's journey with Mercedes began as a junior driver, progressing through the ranks before joining Williams and eventually returning to Mercedes in 2022. Since then, he has become an integral part of the team, contributing to their success and establishing himself as a future star. He stated that he was not talking to other teams, despite interest, and is loyal to Mercedes for giving him the chance to be in Formula 1.

With both Russell and Wolff expressing a strong desire to continue their partnership, and with Russell's impressive performances on the track, it seems highly likely that a contract extension will be announced in the near future, solidifying his place as a key member of the Mercedes team.