George Russell Opens Up on Slow-Moving Mercedes Contract Talks: 'We Wanted To Enjoy...'

Last Updated:August 28, 2025, 20:46 IST

George Russell likely to remain Mercedes' senior driver after Hamilton's exit, as contract talks progress positively with no summer break discussions.

George Russell's contract is yet to be extended (Picture credit: AFP)

Star Mercedes driver George Russell has said that no contract extension talks took place between him and the team during the summer break because there was no need for the same and both parties wanted to enjoy the off-time, adding that talks are moving in the right direction.

At the beginning of the season, Russell’s contract was never thought to become such a major talking point. He had been part of the setup even before he joined F1 and with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton moving on to Ferrari, he was the one in a senior role.

Extending Russell’s contract seemed like an obvious move, until world champion Max Verstappen hit the market and added a twist to the equation.

“We’re in positive talks at the moment. As I said, nothing was going to happen during the summer break because from both of our sides there was no reason for it to happen," Russell said while speaking at the pre-race press conference. 

“We wanted to ultimately enjoy the short time we had off, but things are moving in the right direction. Hopefully in due course, but as I said before the break, we need to make sure it’s right," Russell added. 

It is evident that the British driver will stay with Mercedes next year, as neither side has a realistic alternative to turn to.

“It is just juggling a lot of priorities between on track performance, development of 2026, sponsorship events and getting back in shape training wise and then of course doing the contract, it is not like the world stops just to sort it," Russell said. 

The British driver is currently fourth on the drivers’ standings, behind leader Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Verstappen. He had finished third at the Hungarian GP earlier this month.

With the return of Formula 1 racing comes the inevitable gossip of who drives where next season and Russell is now one of the drivers in focus.

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First Published:

August 28, 2025, 20:46 IST

News sports » formula-one George Russell Opens Up On Slow-Moving Mercedes Contract Talks: 'We Wanted To Enjoy...'

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