Mercedes driver George Russell is reportedly dissatisfied with his current situation at the Silver Arrows, amid ongoing uncertainty about his contract for the upcoming Formula 1 season. Despite team principal Toto Wolff’s assurance that Mercedes plans to maintain their driver lineup through 2026, Russell and his rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli have yet to finalize agreements beyond this year.
This contract limbo has created tension within the Mercedes camp, with Wolff’s public interest in securing four-time world champion Max Verstappen in the future increasing doubts over Russell’s and Antonelli’s places on the team. Although Verstappen has committed to staying at Red Bull for 2026, Wolff has openly expressed his desire to sign the Dutch driver when the opportunity arises.
Mercedes Drivers Face Contract Uncertainty and Pressure
Martin Brundle, a respected Formula 1 analyst, has indicated that Russell is feeling hurt by the ongoing discussions around Verstappen’s potential move. Throughout the 2025 season, Russell has outperformed his teammate Antonelli, but neither driver has signed a deal for next year, adding to the tension.
Antonelli’s nervousness has visibly affected his on-track performance, as seen during the recent Italian Grand Prix. In the second practice session (FP2), Antonelli’s car ended up stuck in the gravel for the second consecutive race weekend, further raising questions about his future at Mercedes.
Brundle and Rosberg on Mercedes’ Next Steps with Drivers
Before the Italian GP, Brundle spoke live on Sky Sports about what he would do if he were in Wolff’s position regarding Antonelli and Russell. Addressing Russell’s feelings directly, Brundle stated,
“I’d take him but I would have signed George [Russell] a long time ago because George is not happy is he,”
—Martin Brundle, F1 Analyst
He added,
“It’s very easy to see that George feels quite bruised about all the Max [Verstappen] talk and what have you through the summer, but when you look at the car at McLaren and other teams, I just think they’ve injected too many of their own problems into the driver lineup, I’d keep him.”
—Martin Brundle, F1 Analyst
Nico Rosberg also weighed in on Antonelli’s situation, suggesting that Wolff should postpone a contract decision until the winter break to fully evaluate the rookie’s potential and performance. Rosberg remarked,
“Because at the moment it’s hard to sign it today. There’s too many mistakes still happening from young Antonelli but I do believe he has huge potential and he should be there next year.”
—Nico Rosberg, Former F1 Champion
Rosberg acknowledged the current risks but emphasized the importance of patience in making a final decision about Antonelli’s contract.
Impact of Uncertainty for Mercedes and F1 Prospects
The uncertainty surrounding Russell’s future highlights wider challenges within Mercedes as the team navigates driver development and competitive pressures. Russell’s apparent unhappiness could affect his performance and confidence, while Antonelli’s struggles underline the risks of investing in young talent too soon.
With Verstappen’s future firmly at Red Bull for 2026 but Wolff’s ongoing interest indicating possible upheaval ahead, Mercedes faces a crucial offseason in determining its driver lineup. How the team resolves these contract negotiations may shape their competitiveness in the coming years and influence the direction of the F1 driver market.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as decisions are expected after the season ends, with the winter break offering a likely window for Mercedes to clarify its plans and provide stability for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
