George Russell has addressed speculation surrounding his future with Mercedes amid rumors of Max Verstappen potentially joining the team. Russell's current contract with Mercedes runs until the end of 2025, and while a contract extension has yet to be signed, he has expressed confidence in remaining with the team.
The rumors of Verstappen's possible move to Mercedes emerged after Russell confirmed that Mercedes had been in talks with Verstappen. Verstappen is currently contracted with Red Bull until 2028, but there are speculations that he could leave earlier due to an exit clause. Despite these rumors, Russell has stated that the chances of him not being at Mercedes next season are "exceptionally low".
Russell has affirmed his loyalty to Mercedes, emphasizing that he is not in discussions with other teams. He believes that his performance on the track speaks for itself and that he has given Mercedes "all the reasons" to re-sign him. Russell also trusts Toto Wolff's word and knows where the team's loyalty lies. He said, "The fact is Toto [Wolff] has never let me down – he's always given me his word but he's also got to do what's right for his team, which includes me but it also includes thousands of people who work for Mercedes".
Toto Wolff has acknowledged the discussions with Verstappen but has also indicated that it is more likely that Russell will be driving for Mercedes in 2026. Wolff has stated that a final decision on the 2026 driver lineup will be made around the summer break. He emphasized the importance of being respectful towards all stakeholders in the process, including the organization, the drivers, and everyone involved.
Amid the speculation, former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher has discussed Russell's potential options if Mercedes decides to sign Verstappen. While acknowledging that the probability of Verstappen moving to Mercedes is very low, Schumacher expressed curiosity about Russell's future and emphasized that Toto Wolff wouldn't leave him "hanging".
Russell himself remains focused on his driving and is not "pressing massively" to get a new contract signed. He recognizes that having a contract in place is helpful but believes that his performance is the priority. Russell is confident that he is doing a good job and doesn't feel the need to chase a new contract. Spotrac.com indicates that Russell will earn a base salary of $15,000,000 in 2025, with a cap hit of $15,000,000.
Another Mercedes driver, Kimi Antonelli, has also spoken about the situation. Antonelli is confident that he will have "time to grow" at Mercedes, and is not worried about the rumors. He is focused on delivering the best performance possible and trusts that the team is giving him a lot of trust and time to develop.
Overall, George Russell remains confident in his future with Mercedes. He is focused on his performance and trusts that everything will work out. While the speculation surrounding Verstappen's potential move to Mercedes has created uncertainty, Russell is determined to continue proving his worth to the team.
