Totowolf, the principal of the Mercedes team, says George Russell holds good cards as his talk on contract extension progresses.
Russell was out of contract at the end of the season and faces a level of uncertainty due to Mercedes’ interest in Max Verstappen this year. He has admitted ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, saying it was “the least guaranteed” for the past six months. After that there is Verstappen Committed to Red Bull in 2026talks over Russell’s new contract are understood to be in a positive direction, and Wolf says the 27-year-old performance put him in a strong position.
“George has been delivering since 2018 so he’s always had a good card,” Wolf said. “There was no season when he wasn’t there and nothing has changed in our thinking next year.
“When it comes to contracts, let’s take a look. I’ll come out and say what semester he proposed, but he’s definitely strong in his position on the team. He’s shown it again (in Hungary) and there’s no reason to plan with George in the long run.”
Teammate Kimi Antoneri hasn’t yet confirmed his future, so Wolf has stopped putting a timeline on the announcement.
“Well, if that’s funny news, I shouldn’t answer your question! I don’t know,” he said. “We choose good moments, like some funky Grand Prix with lots of fans.
Antonelli scored the first points of the European season in Hungary after finishing 10th, and Wolf says that returning to the old suspension solution will help rookie confidence.
“Cars generally give him more feedback,” he said. “He said the weekend was a change from the first session. Qualifying didn’t go well, but that happens to younger drivers.
“Dangling him there for the survival of the tire (in the race) was another part of the development he needed to go through. He scored points, he defended Hajar (isack) and I’m happy with it.
