As the 2025 Formula 1 season progresses, few drivers have displayed more composure under pressure than George Russell, currently in the final year of his contract with Mercedes. The British driver is enjoying what he openly admits is his best campaign to date, yet his future beyond this season remains officially unconfirmed. Amid increasing speculation about the 2026 driver market and beyond, the 27-year-old Brit keeps his focus on performance and refuses to let outside noise distract him.
Unbothered by the noise amid solid form
Having joined the Formula 1 grid in 2019 and switched to Mercedes in 2022, Russell is now somewhat of a veteran in the series. Though he has shown strong performances throughout his time in Formula 1, 2025 is shaping up to be his most consistent and competitive season. This improved performance, he credits to the significant step forward Mercedes has made with its car, the W16.
While speaking to written media ahead of the 2025 Belgian GP, Russell said, “Yeah, I think it is my best season, probably because this is the best car that I’ve had in Formula 1 as well so you’re always dependent on that. So, I’m not that frustrated about my future. I’m not really thinking about it anymore because I know it all comes down to performance and results. That’s always the case, that’s the good thing about a sport like Formula 1, so everything will work itself out in due course.”
No talks beyond Mercedes
While rumours continue to swirl about driver movement in 2026, Russell has firmly shut down any talk of negotiations with rival teams. He holds a unique relationship with Mercedes, as the team both employs and manages him. This dual structure ties his career decisions directly to the Silver Arrows, and although he ranks among the top performers on the grid, he has not explored options elsewhere.
“No, because I’m managed by Mercedes, they control me, so my destiny is in their hands,” he replied when asked if he is in conversation with other teams.
He further emphasised that external speculation, not internal urgency, drives the intensity surrounding his contract situation.
“The conversation has been ongoing but not directly with me as such, there’s a lot more hype around it externally than there is internally.”
A shift in perspective brings calm
Rather than letting the speculation weigh him down, Russell has used recent downtime to reset mentally. He shared how he has reframed his thinking about contract negotiations and career progression, choosing to focus on performance as the primary lever of security.
“The truth is I’m not even, I think about it on a Thursday because you guys [the media] asked me the question, but these past few months have allowed me to think how I feel about the scenario like this. And you can choose to stress about it, you can choose to try and secure your future, or you can choose not to worry about it and focus on the things such as performance which secures your future for you.”
“These two weeks off have been great to reset psychologically and mentally, I feel happier probably now than I was in the months gone by and at peace with everything that’s going on and I’m just thinking about race by race and I’m in no rush to secure my future, it’ll be what it’ll be.”
Navigating a two-pronged approach with Mercedes
Mercedes’ management of Russell is not merely operational—it is strategic. Since signing with their junior programme, the team has played a central role in shaping his journey through motorsport. However, the fact that the same organisation both manages and employs him on track creates a rare dynamic—one that Russell describes as “unique.”
“Yeah, I mean this is obviously a bit of a unique situation where we find ourselves in. I’ve always had my best interests at heart, and we’ll find out what happens in the future, but I still have no reason to be concerned about my future with Mercedes and ultimately, what’s the worst that’s going to happen? If I’m performing, I’ll still be in Formula 1, and I will be somewhat competitive.”
While some might see this as a conflict of interest, Russell views it as an integrated system that benefits both parties—provided that performance remains the priority. He also pointed out that rising star Kimi Antonelli, widely expected to debut with Mercedes next season, is in a similar position.
“So from my side it just makes you think again, it just comes down to yourself, your own control of your own destiny. It’s a bit of a unique situation that I’m managed by the team who I’m racing for but that’s the same for Kimi [Antonelli] as well and that’s the position we find ourselves in.”
Addressing the Verstappen speculation
Russell himself fuelled part of the media storm by mentioning Mercedes’ interest in Max Verstappen during a recent media interview. However, Russell believes the story has been overblown, pointing out that discussions between teams and drivers are a normal part of the F1 ecosystem.
“No, because well, first, I thought that was pretty public knowledge and common knowledge, and the fact is most teams are talking with most drivers to worry about their future and it’s not just the short-term future. Next year people, there’s conversations already going on for drivers of 27, 28, 29, people have always looked many years in advance and when I was at Williams, when I signed in 2019, 2022 was always the projection for me to join the team if that makes sense.”
Contract delays not abnormal in Formula 1
Russell’s anecdote about his own delayed entry into Mercedes offers valuable insight into how long-term planning shapes Formula 1 driver careers. He continued by reinforcing his case through his own recent performances.
“So the situation we find ourselves in now is, I don’t think it’s abnormal and from my side there is no tension because there’s two cars to every team, I’m performing the best I’ve ever performed, I have the majority of the points for the team so if you look at the facts you would argue my job is safe so that’s why I’m not concerned at all because if I stop performing maybe I need to be concerned but I need to be more concerned about my performance not about my future.”
Focus not altered by Wolff’s public praise
Despite the ongoing speculation surrounding Mercedes’ line-up for 2025, Team Principal Toto Wolff has consistently emphasised that retaining Russell and Antonelli is a top priority. However, Russell made it clear that Wolff’s public comments have not influenced his contract negotiations. Instead, he explained that they were meant to address public interest, not to offer him personal reassurance.
“No, not really, that was for you not for me, what happens behind closed doors is behind closed doors. Nothing from my side has changed, I wasn’t even aware of this statement until one hour ago so it’s not something I’m looking for, it’s not something I really care about and as I said these last months, I’ve gone from a position where I was stressed about my future and I was concerned about it and I’ve continued to perform. I just think it’s in my own hands so there’s no point losing sleep about it.”
His response reveals a pragmatic approach: Russell does not need public affirmations from team bosses to validate his place. His performance speaks for itself—and in his view, that is enough.
“Mercedes need the best drivers in their race car and I believe that I’m right up there, I don’t think there’s many people doing a better job than I am so I need them and they need me and that’s how it goes in racing.”
Contract talks may take time
Although many expected Russell to finalise his contract extension before the summer break, he now acknowledges that the timeline will likely shift. He emphasised the importance of getting the details right, especially in a sport that is evolving rapidly both on and off the track.
“I think it’s got to be right both ways, to be honest the intention was always pre-summer break because that’s just people going to summer and you want to get something sorted. Realistically, is that going to be the case? I don’t know, there is still no contract on the table so to have something done in the space of two weeks is unlikely and it’s got to be work both ways and you need to talk about the finer details and Formula 1 is evolving so much now, you need to go through everything with a fine tooth comb to make sure it’s all okay.”
Russell concluded that, given the current stage of discussions, his approach remains centred on performance first and foremost.
“But as I said there is no rush really from my side because ultimately Toto and the team will decide what they wish to do and I will be in a position of reacting to what they wish to do so as I said I’m just focusing on performance and everything else will sort itself out.”
