F1 news: George Russell insists ‘it’s a when not if’ amid ongoing Mercedes contract uncertainty
One of the biggest and most constant stories across the first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season has been on George Russell’s future at Mercedes, or rather, elsewhere.
In this article, Sports News Blitz deputy content editor Nicole Powell breaks down the latest on Russell’s future at Mercedes.
Verstappen drama casts early doubt on Russell’s future
The uncertainty around Russell’s future was triggered by Max Verstappen’s dissatisfaction with Red Bull’s 2025 performance.
With Red Bull falling apart internally since 2024 - key figures leaving and being sacked - and a dramatic loss of pace on track, rumours that Verstappen would be jumping ship circulated the paddock.
Allegedly, there is a performance clause in Verstappen’s 2028 contract, which led many to believe that 2025 might be the Dutchman’s final season at Red Bull.
Whispers that he would be switching to Mercedes only got louder when Toto Wolff admitted that he had been in conversations with Verstappen.
Verstappen speaks out
However, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the four-time world champions shut down all rumours.
"The thing is always that people are waffling so much throughout the whole season, while the only one that actually can or should speak is not speaking. That's me,” he said to the media.
"And I do that on purpose because it makes no sense to start throwing things around, and actually that should be the same for everyone.
"Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama. But, for me, it's always been quite clear, and also for next year.
"I'm discussing with the team already the plans, the things that we want to change for next year. So that means that I'm also staying with the team for next year."
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Russell closing in on new multi-year deal
With Verstappen now out of the picture, reportedly, Russell is nearing a multi-year deal that will keep him at Mercedes until at least the end of 2027.
Russell suggested that the reason for a delay on a deal between him and Mercedes was because of the team’s interest in Verstappen.
However, the Brit has since maintained confidence that he and Mercedes will continue their partnership.
"He [Toto Wolff] has got nothing to be worried about, I've got nothing to be worried about," Russell told Sky Sports F1.
Russell has also indicated that there is no rush to get the deal done.
"Nothing is going to happen over the summer because I just want to have a rest and recharge and come back stronger for the second half of the year but there's no time pressure either way. It will happen when it happens, it's a when not if.
"I'm 27 now, I've been with the team four years, next year would be my fifth and we want to build the relationship together but it's got to be right and I don't want to rush it.
“I've been waiting 12 months, I'm not going to just rush it in the course of two weeks so we'll sit down when the time is right."
Without a doubt, Russell’s P3 finish at the Hungarian GP will put talks in his favour as F1 heads into the summer break.
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