George Russell feels he doesn’t feel pressured to get a new deal with Mercedes.
Mercedes has yet to confirm that Russell and Kimi Antonelli will remain in their seats in 2026, but both are widely expected to do so. There was uncertainty during exploratory consultations with Max Verstappen earlier this year, but despite the decline that has declined after the Dutch promised to stay in Red Bull, Russell says the agreement has yet to be fully reached.
“Of course we wanted to take a break from summer to relax and reset, but it’s moving aggressively in the right direction,” Russell said. “But there is no time pressure from the team’s side and no time pressure from our side, so we just ensure that it is done properly.
“Of course you are juggling priorities. It’s not that the world is halting to organize contracts. We have to worry about racing weekends. We are focusing on future developments and are already looking forward to next year.
“Undoubtedly, summer holidays have been a very good time to think about everything we want for our whole situation, what we want for our future, not just being on track, but being on track. There is more to our role, not just driving on a Sunday afternoon.
“I wanted to take a break. Toto (Wolff, the principal of the team) and the team were very happy to work to resolve it throughout the summer break, but I wanted to take that time because those two weeks are pretty valuable to all of us.
“So I think we’re getting closer to the same page as some things, and hopefully, realistically, we might have been talking a few weeks before something actually happens. But there’s no big rush. When it actually happens, it doesn’t happen.
Russell says there are no major items yet to go up for negotiations.
“No, it’s not at all. I think that, honestly, there are pros and cons in the short term and long term,” he said. “I think this season has proven better than ever, but ultimately it always comes down to performance. The numbers listed on the contract are ultimately just numbers, but obviously I’m thinking about what I want.
“The truth is, I want to win with Mercedes. I want to win the World Championships. That’s my number one goal. I hope to be with the team, but of course I’ll be 28 next year.
