- Russell remains confident his Mercedes seat is safe despite Verstappen rumours.
- Clauses in Russell’s current contract mean his position is secure through 2026.
- Wolff confirms satisfaction with his drivers, dismissing potential 2026 lineup change.
George Russell has no concerns that his seat could potentially be taken by Max Verstappen in the coming year. He believes that a performance-based clause in his current contract keeps his place at Mercedes safe. Every time there’s a dip in the performance of Red Bull, the rumours about Verstappen to Mercedes begin to spiral, and it was no different this year, too.
With Verstappen clearly struggling at his current team and his dislike for new regs, many speculate that he could either quit or change teams. He, however, has considered retirement but has stated that he will decide after assessing the remaining races. But, as of now, he has given no verdict on a potential team switch. A new wave of hope flowed recently, when after his several hints towards the F1 exit door, he also reassured that he also aims for a 5th title.
Most likely, Verstappen will stay, but it remains to be seen how much better things get at Red Bull for him or if he considers going to another team towards the end of the year. If at all he considers a switch, Mercedes may or may not be an option, given Wolff reaffirmed that he’s happy with both his current drivers’ performances and that he’s not looking for a line-up change.
Why is Russell not worried about Verstappen taking his place at Mercedes?
In a recent conversation with BBC Sport, Russell revealed that while he has the contract at Mercedes only till 2026, he still feels that he won’t lose his seat, as his performance clause guarantees that. “Other than me announcing it here on your camera now, there is nothing to be concerned about. Of course, there are options [in my contract], but they are performance-based,” he added.
He believes that he’s not at risk of getting away from Mercedes, given his performance is very strong at the moment, and that would ensure that his seat continues to remain. “Yes, [the clause is based on the 2026 F1 drivers’ championship],” he clarified.
Wolff debunks Verstappen’s rumoured move to Mercedes
In conversation with OE24, Wolff addressed the Verstappen to Mercedes rumours, clarifying that his current drivers aren’t going anywhere and are on multi-year contracts. Appreciating their performance and racecraft, he added, “I could not be happier with either of them; both are delivering top performances, so there is absolutely no reason to even consider a line-up change or other drivers.” Noting that he still holds Verstappen in his highest regard, he elaborated, “I say this with the utmost respect for Max.”
What’s the current status of Russell and Kimi Antonelli’s contract?
Russell’s contract is up to 2026, and he has been with the team since 2022. However, in recent media sessions, he sounded confident that he’ll be at Mercedes next year.
Antonelli debuted in 2025, and his contract is till 2026 too. He is unlikely to be replaced as he continues to showcase strong performance this season, as he bagged a few moments for history and his career.
