Mercedes in the crisis? Russell's contract depends on the rumor about Verstappen!

Mercedes in the crisis? Russell's contract depends on the rumor about Verstappen!

nicht angegeben - Mercedes is the focus of speculation in terms of the contract extension of George Russell and his new role as a leaders after Lewis Hamilton has left the team. The contracts by Russell and Kimi Antonelli have not yet been extended. According to Kleine Zeitung Has Team boss Toto Wolff emphasizes that everything goes according to plan and that he is satisfied with the current driver duo. Wolff also expressed that contract talks are often accelerated in early summer when information is missing.

special attention received the potential obligation of Max Verstappen, which could also influence the fate of Russell. Russell itself noted that the discussions about Verstappen may cause delays in relation to its own contract extension. He explained that there have so far been no serious conversations about his contractual situation and that he has not put pressure on him. In his opinion, his performance this season, which includes a victory and four panel places, gave him security. This situation has caused surprises in the paddock, as many assume that Mercedes should be able to quickly extend the contracts of its drivers, as numerous other driver seats are already secured for the next season.

Russell's future at Mercedes

George Russell is optimistic about his position in the team. Despite the outgoing contract, Russell emphasized that he does not feel pressure and wants to wait and see how the season develops. He strives for planning security for the next three to five years. At the same time, Mercedes plans to rethink the proposition and strategic orientation in the next seasons, especially with regard to strong competitors such as Red Bull and Aston Martin. The situation is particularly exciting, since other teams have already occupied their driver's seats for 2026.

A challenge for Mercedes is the uncertainty about the future of Russell, while the rumors of Verstappen stop. Despite his strong performances in the current season, including his victory in the Canada race, Russell remains calm and focuses on continuing to run quickly. According to

Max Verstappen himself reacted to inquiries regarding his contractual situation and explained that he is currently not dealing with such thoughts. He wants to focus on his performance and not on any speculation. This has fueled the discussions about his possible obligation by Mercedes, where Wolff indicated that discussions about Verstappen should take place behind closed doors. Formel1.de emphasizes that Verstappen and other top drivers such as Oscar Piatri are tied to their respective teams, which are tied to their respective team Mercedes additionally complicated.

In the meantime, both Wolff and Red Bulls Christian Horner will continue to be raised at their strategies. The combination of Russell, which overcomes his competitor, and Verstappen, whose future remains uncertain, ensures an exciting time in the Formula 1 circus, while all eyes are directed towards developments around the driver positions.