Contract poker at Mercedes: Why George Russell is still hesitating

(Motorsport-Total.com) - Although it's long been clear that George Russell will stay with Mercedes beyond 2025, a contract extension between the two parties is still pending. But why?

If the rumors in the Formula 1 paddock are to be believed, the outlook for Mercedes in 2026 looks positive. After four years in the shadow of first Red Bull and then McLaren, the Brackley-based team has fully embraced the new technical regulations . Many suspect that the new power unit will be the most powerful in the field.

The technical team led by James Allison stopped the 2025 project early in order to devote themselves fully to the car that will bring the team back to the top next year.

But there's one peculiarity in this promising scenario: As we approach October, the team still hasn't announced the extension of its lead driver. Overview: All drivers confirmed so far for 2026!

Mercedes has long signaled that George Russell will stay next year, as will Andrea Kimi Antonelli. However, this hasn't been officially confirmed yet.

Why the delay?

The delay in finalizing the contract is said to be related to the number of PR days and commitments stipulated in the contract - Russell apparently wants to reduce some marketing tasks.

But the weeks pass, and everything remains silent. As Wolff and his closest colleagues continue to emphasize, there is no doubt about the continued collaboration between Mercedes and Russell. But it is equally clear that the problems are not solely due to "PR": At least two other crucial aspects likely explain the delay.

First, it's about money. Russell's performance over the past two seasons has undoubtedly been that of a top driver—and it's no surprise that the Briton wants this to be reflected in his compensation.

Money isn't everything, because...

The second aspect concerns the length of the contract, with mixed signals being heard in the Baku paddock last weekend. Typically, an extension of this magnitude would cover two years—the traditional two seasons that would bind Russell and Mercedes until the end of 2027.

However, there are indications that the agreement could be a "1+1" model—with a clause that can be activated by either party at the end of next season. The real question is which side will pursue this.

It might be in Mercedes' interest to keep a seat open in case Max Verstappen leaves Red Bull at the end of next season. That wouldn't be a surprise, given the long-standing flirtations between the two camps—the most recent episode played out last spring, until Verstappen officially committed to Red Bull for 2026 in the summer .

What if the vehicle performance is not right in 2026?

But it could also be Russell himself pushing for a short-term contract. Mercedes is entering a new technical cycle and has everything it needs to return to the top, but its competitiveness still needs to be confirmed on the track.

Russell's market value has risen significantly in recent years, and he has repeatedly emphasized that he is not seeking a long-term contract, but simply a car capable of winning.

Since joining the team, Russell has never had a world championship-winning car at his disposal, and he too may be interested in weighing up the best options halfway through next year - ahead of a hectic "silly season".

If Russell really wants to leave, then...

Mercedes regularly emphasizes that Russell is tied to the team through a management contract—a "quid pro quo" for the investments made to develop young drivers in the junior series. However, the situation remains delicate: Should Russell want to leave the team within a year, an unprecedented scenario would arise.

A management contract is not an obligation to stay with the team, and Mercedes could do nothing to keep Russell if he received a better offer. Paradoxically, in that case, the task of Mercedes management would be to negotiate the best terms for their protégé with a team that would be a direct rival on the track.