Mercedes has confirmed there is no immediate urgency to finalize George Russell’s future contract despite his impressive performances this Formula 1 season. The British driver, who is out of contract at the end of 2024, has yet to secure a seat beyond this year, while speculation continues around potential changes in the driver lineup.
Russell’s strong form has put him among the leading contenders on the grid, yet Mercedes has not rushed to complete a new deal. Team principal Toto Wolff has reiterated that the current driver pairing will remain unchanged, dispelling rumors of drastic moves despite ongoing links to world champion Max Verstappen. Wolff stated in Saudi Arabia that Verstappen is no longer a target for the Silver Arrows.
Mercedes responds to contract rumors amid Verstappen speculation
During the Monaco Grand Prix coverage, Mercedes representative Bradley Lord addressed questions about the delay in renewing Russell’s contract, particularly whether it was connected to potential openings involving Verstappen. Lord rejected the suggestion of waiting on Verstappen’s availability, emphasizing a focus on managing Russell’s career thoughtfully alongside his current role.
No, we are under no rush. We manage George’s career as well as being the team he drives for at the moment.
—Bradley Lord, Mercedes Team Representative
When reminded that Russell does not yet have a drive secured for the 2025 season, Lord responded that there remains no pressure, and the focus is on performance this year before contract discussions progress.
He added,
“Then at the right time he and Toto will sit down and as they always say it doesn’t take terribly long to thrash these things out.”
That hasn’t happened yet but certainly will in the weeks and months ahead.
—Bradley Lord, Mercedes Team Representative
George Russell’s emergence as Mercedes’ team leader
In the 2024 championship standings, George Russell holds fourth place with 99 points, trailing the leader Oscar Piastri by 47 points. The 27-year-old Brit has delivered a series of strong results, including four podium finishes out of seven races, marking his rise as the de facto leader of the Mercedes squad.
Lord praised Russell’s leadership qualities, likening him to an older brother guiding the team dynamic, with teammate Lewis Hamilton seen more as the younger sibling.
“He’s definitely stepped up into that leader role,”
Lord commented.
“He’s like the big brother and Kimi is the little brother. I think that really suits George, that ability to give direction and be the reference for the team. That’s working well for him.”
Lord also noted Russell’s consistent ability to extract maximum performance from the car and his collaborative approach with Mercedes’ designers to identify areas for improvement and reduce the gap to the frontrunners.
“He’s just delivered every time he’s been in the car. He’s maximising what we’ve got, scoring podium finishes where they are available and then working very hard with the designers back at the factory to understand ‘where can we improve the car, how do we need to take it forward to close that gap to the front runners’.”
Looking ahead: contract talks expected in coming months
With the 2024 season progressing, Mercedes appears set to approach Russell’s contract renewal in a measured manner, prioritizing performance stability before finalizing future plans. The team’s steady stance, combined with Russell’s escalating role as team leader and consistent podium finishes, suggests that discussions will take place soon but without hasty decisions.
This careful strategy allows both Russell and Mercedes to evaluate their options thoughtfully while maintaining focus on the ongoing championship battle. Fans and analysts will watch closely as contract negotiations unfold, potentially shaping the driver lineup heading into 2025 and beyond.
