George Russell has had a remarkable start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, yet Mercedes has not offered him a new contract, raising eyebrows across the paddock.
The 27-year-old driver has achieved three podium finishes in the first four races and is closely trailing world champion leader Lando Norris by just 14 points.
Russell, along with Max Verstappen, is considered one of the top-performing drivers this season, consistently maximizing the potential of his Mercedes car.
His excellent performances have garnered praise, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledging Russell as one of the top drivers in Formula 1 currently.
Despite Wolff`s positive evaluation and Russell`s strong track record with Mercedes` junior program, it remains unclear why contract negotiations are not finalized as he enters the last year of his current agreement.
As speculation increases about a potential long-term contract extension for Russell, we examine the factors contributing to this situation.
Russell`s Current Contract Details
Russell`s existing contract was renewed in August 2023, alongside Lewis Hamilton, with both deals reportedly concluding at the end of the 2025 season.
However, it was revealed in February 2024 that Hamilton`s contract was a “one-plus-one” agreement, allowing both parties to opt out after 2024, which Hamilton exercised to join Ferrari for 2025.
While the specifics of Russell`s contract remain uncertain, Hamilton`s departure has presented Russell with the opportunity to become the primary driver for Mercedes.
In the 2024 season, Russell outperformed Hamilton in qualifying and finished ahead in the driver standings, despite a race disqualification in Belgium that was beyond his control.
Mercedes` decision to potentially bring in rookie Kimi Antonelli for 2025 further solidifies Russell`s position as the experienced team leader, as Antonelli is expected to require time to adapt to Formula 1.
This season, Russell has already established a significant 33-point lead over Antonelli, highlighting his role as the team`s leading driver.
Unusual Contract Situation Compared to Other Teams
In Formula 1, it`s uncommon for a team like Mercedes to delay contract renewal with a high-performing driver like Russell.
McLaren, for example, has proactively secured long-term contracts with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, ensuring stability within their driver lineup.
Norris extended his contract to 2027 in early 2024, and Piastri`s contract was renewed until 2028 before the current season began.
Similarly, Max Verstappen signed a long-term contract with Red Bull in 2022, committing until 2028, although these contracts often include performance-based exit clauses.
Ferrari`s delay in renewing Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz`s contracts, which expired at the end of 2024, was notable. Leclerc eventually signed a new deal, but Sainz was replaced by Hamilton, possibly indicating Ferrari`s interest in Hamilton at the time.
The Verstappen Factor
The delay in Russell`s contract renewal may be linked to Mercedes` interest in Max Verstappen.
Following Hamilton`s announcement to join Ferrari, and amid internal issues at Red Bull, Toto Wolff openly pursued Verstappen.
Wolff admitted to discussions with Verstappen`s team during the 2024 summer break, acknowledging that a move for 2025 was unlikely but maintaining interest for 2026, coinciding with new engine regulations that could favor Mercedes.
However, with Verstappen`s continued success at Red Bull, Wolff stated before the 2025 season that pursuing Verstappen was no longer a priority.
Despite this, recent concerns expressed by Red Bull`s Helmut Marko about Verstappen`s future with the team suggest that Mercedes might still be monitoring the situation closely.
Russell and Verstappen as Team-mates?
A past public disagreement between Verstappen and Russell raises questions about their compatibility as team-mates.
Moreover, signing Verstappen could mean replacing Antonelli, in whom Mercedes has heavily invested for the future.
While Red Bull has opted for a less competitive second driver alongside Verstappen, some experts believe Mercedes might consider pairing Russell and Verstappen to create a formidable driver lineup.
Ted Kravitz from Sky Sports suggests that despite Russell`s strong performance, Mercedes might still replace him with Verstappen if the opportunity arises, highlighting the ruthless nature of Formula 1.
Current Contract Status
As the season progresses, the lack of a new contract for Russell becomes more noticeable.
Reports suggest that Russell is close to agreeing to a two-year extension with an option for 2028, but sources indicate that no announcement is imminent.
Both Russell and Wolff have remained vague when questioned about the contract situation, emphasizing a positive relationship between driver and team, though recent comments from Wolff appear less definitive than earlier statements.
Wolff affirmed Mercedes` commitment to Russell, highlighting his development within the team`s program.
Russell downplayed any urgency, stating “no rush, no concerns, no pressure,” while noting that previous contract talks with Wolff were brief.
Despite outward calmness, it is likely Russell would readily sign an extension, especially given Mercedes` optimistic outlook for future regulations.
For Mercedes, securing a deal with Russell makes strategic sense, regardless of the Verstappen situation.
While waiting to see if Verstappen becomes available is understandable, the uncertainty around Russell`s contract will likely intensify, especially if he maintains his high level of performance.
Experts suggest that if no deal is reached by the British Grand Prix in July, the situation would become more concerning for Russell, but for now, his continued success on track strengthens his position with the team.
