George Russell has yet to finalize a new Mercedes contract, raising questions about the reasons behind the delay despite no apparent alternatives for the team, and Max Verstappen confirmed to stay at Red Bull. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s senior advisor and head of the driver development program, suspects salary negotiations might be the cause and hinted that Russell could be seeking payback for the protracted wait.
Interaction Between Russell and Mercedes Contract Talks
Before the summer break, rumors resurfaced suggesting Max Verstappen might join Mercedes, but Russell indicated ongoing discussions with the team were affecting finalizing his deal. At that moment, Mercedes had yet to sign any drivers for the 2026 season. Currently, even after Verstappen formally confirmed his 2026 commitment to Red Bull, Mercedes still does not have a signed driver for the upcoming year.
Marko addressed the situation, telling sport.de,
“Well, they’re certainly not waiting for Max,”
and added,
“And apart from that, I can’t think of anyone else who would be suitable as team leader.”
Developments Ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 Season
Mercedes principal Toto Wolff provided insights into why discussions with Russell have been slow despite intentions to continue working with him. Wolff explained that Mercedes is focusing on optimizing certain aspects such as travel requirements and marketing commitments to better suit Russell’s schedule.
He stated,
“We’re continuing with both of them, of course,”
referring to current drivers, and emphasized,
“He’s an experienced driver, and for us, it’s always important to talk about it. We want to have the best performance of the drivers, and I think we’ve given both of them quite a strain with marketing activities and media activities, and this is how we recalibrate.”
Notably, Kimi Antonelli is also unsigned for the next season, highlighting broader contract negotiations ongoing within the sport.
Helmut Marko’s Perspective on the Contract Delay
Marko speculated that the delay primarily involves salary discussions, especially considering Russell’s history as a Mercedes driver academy graduate and managed by the same team.
He remarked,
“I think these are salary negotiations,”
adding,
“after Russell was kept waiting for so long.”
Ending with a note of irony, Marko teased,
“Perhaps this hesitation is his revenge for not having made an official decision yet,”
offering a glimpse into the tensions influencing the process.
What the Ongoing Delay Means for F1 and Mercedes
The extended hold-up in finalizing George Russell’s Mercedes contract reflects underlying challenges in aligning expectations on both sides amid shifting driver line-ups for 2026. While Mercedes aims to retain talent critical to their future, balancing contractual terms, marketing demands, and driver satisfaction remains complex. With major regulation changes approaching, securing driver stability will be essential for Mercedes to maintain competitiveness in the upcoming season. The resolution of the contract talks will likely have a significant impact on team dynamics throughout the grid as the sport prepares for next year.
