George Russell, the Mercedes Formula 1 star, has responded lightheartedly yet confidently to swirling rumours about a potential contract extension with the Silver Arrows, as his current deal nears its expiration at the end of the 2025 season. The 27-year-old Briton, who has enjoyed a sensational start to the 2025 campaign, dismissed the speculation with a focus on performance over paperwork, while hinting that his future with Mercedes remains bright.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Russell downplayed the immediacy of the contract talk, saying, “Rumours are never that truthful, are they? When it comes to contracts, everybody gets so excited about it, but the reality is: performance is our currency. If we perform, everything is good. I’m just excited to go racing this weekend.” His comments reflect a relaxed demeanor, underpinned by a stellar run of form that has seen him claim three podiums in the first four races of the season, including a hard-fought second place in Bahrain despite technical issues with his Mercedes W16.
The rumours, fueled by reports from Motorsport.com’s Italian arm, suggested Russell was on the verge of signing a lucrative two-year extension with an option for 2028, potentially worth $30 million per season. Such a deal would solidify his role as Mercedes’ team leader following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari in 2025. However, posts on X and subsequent clarifications indicate that claims of a signed deal may be premature, with no recent change in Russell’s contract status.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been vocal about his faith in Russell, recently praising his “unbelievable” performance in Bahrain and describing him as one of the top drivers on the grid. Wolff has also indicated that securing Russell’s future is a priority, stating, “We have every intention to keep our drivers for the long term.” He added that finalizing a new deal would also put an end to persistent speculation linking reigning world champion Max Verstappen to Mercedes.
Russell’s 2025 season has been a testament to his growing stature within the team. Sitting fourth in the drivers’ championship, just 14 points behind leader Lando Norris, he has consistently extracted the maximum from a Mercedes car that, while improved, remains a step behind McLaren’s dominant MCL39. His ability to outperform rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli, who has shown flashes of brilliance but trails Russell by 33 points, has further cemented his leadership role.
Despite his strong position, Russell remains cautious about rushing into contract negotiations. He previously told RacingNews365 that he’s in “no rush” to commit, emphasizing the importance of Mercedes’ development trajectory, particularly with major regulation changes looming in 2026. “We’re talking about potentially the next three, four, or five years of our lives. It’s not quite as simple as ‘let’s just sign a contract’ and move on,” he said.
The spectre of Max Verstappen’s potential availability continues to loom over Russell’s future. While Wolff has publicly cooled interest in the Red Bull driver, stating in Australia that he’s focused on his current lineup, Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle suggested that Verstappen’s sudden availability could jeopardize Russell’s seat, given Wolff’s regret over missing the Dutchman as a teenager.