George Russell revealed that discussions about securing a new Mercedes contract have been put on hold as the team concentrates on improving performance for the 2025 season. Despite contract uncertainties surrounding both Russell and teammate Lewis Hamilton, Russell expressed no worries about Mercedes potentially eyeing Max Verstappen as a future option.
Mercedes’ Current Driver Situation and Potential Changes
Russell and Verstappen have recently clashed on track, most notably in Barcelona, but their names have also been tied together off the circuit due to speculation over Mercedes’ driver lineup for next year. Both Russell and Hamilton have contracts expiring at the end of this season, which means Mercedes could potentially open up a seat. The young prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli is widely regarded as a future Mercedes driver, while Russell is aiming to step up as the team’s lead figure following Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari.
Contract Status for Verstappen and Its Clauses
Despite Mercedes’ ongoing considerations, Verstappen remains signed with Red Bull until 2028. However, motorsport reports indicate Verstappen’s contract includes a performance-based clause allowing him to leave Red Bull for the 2026 season if he is not ranked within the top four drivers in the championship by the end of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Currently, Verstappen holds a 43-point lead over fifth-placed Charles Leclerc despite losing some points after a penalty for a collision with Russell in Barcelona.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has acknowledged that contractual terms alone cannot retain a driver whose ambitions may lie elsewhere, emphasizing the complexity of such agreements in Formula 1.
Russell’s Perspective on Mercedes’ Priorities and Driver Retention
Speaking from Montreal, Russell clarified the current state of contract negotiations with Mercedes, stating,
“No real conversations to be honest because we’ve got bigger fish to fry at the moment, which is making our car go faster,”
—George Russell, Mercedes driver
He added that he fully expects to remain in Formula 1 and sees staying with Mercedes as both his and team principal Toto Wolff’s shared intention. Responding about the likelihood of change in the driver roster, Russell said,
“To be honest, there’s no real reason for either of us to deviate.”
—George Russell, Mercedes driver
Open Considerations and the Possibility of Verstappen Joining Mercedes
Russell acknowledged that Mercedes is keeping its options open, whether deliberately or incidentally. When asked about Verstappen’s presence on the team’s radar, he offered an unprompted insight, saying,
“It’s understandable, the likes of Max have always been on the radar because why wouldn’t he be on the radar? He’s one of the GOATs and I get that,”
—George Russell, Mercedes driver
He continued,
“But then it’s down to you to prove your worth. And I feel I’ve done that time and time again over the course of seven years in F1 and my whole career. So I’ve got no concerns.”
—George Russell, Mercedes driver
Implications for Mercedes and Formula 1 Future Seasons
The situation around Max Verstappen’s Mercedes contract speculation 2025 reflects the complex negotiations and performance clauses typical in Formula 1’s high-stakes environment. With both Russell and Hamilton’s contracts nearing expiry and Antonelli emerging as a promising talent, Mercedes faces critical decisions in balancing experience, potential, and ambition within its driver lineup.
Verstappen’s potential move remains a subject of intense interest, but Russell’s confidence in his own position and Mercedes’ focus on car performance suggest that driver conversations may remain secondary this season. How these dynamics unfold could significantly shape the competitive landscape of the sport moving into 2025 and beyond.
