George Russell has stated that discussions about a new Mercedes F1 contract have been set aside as the team focuses on improving its performance in 2025, but he is not worried about potential competition from Max Verstappen. Both drivers’ contracts with Mercedes expire at the end of this year, leaving a seat open for the upcoming season. Russell is aiming to take on a more prominent role within the team following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli is viewed as a future talent for the team due to his young age.
Although talks between Russell and team principal Toto Wolff regarding a contract extension had begun, Russell emphasized that the priority for 2025 is performance improvement. Meanwhile, Verstappen, who currently races for Red Bull until 2028, reportedly has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave the team in 2026 if he is not among the top four drivers in the championship standings after the Austrian Grand Prix. Russell expressed confidence in his abilities and track record, stating there is no reason to be concerned about potential competition. Mercedes seems to be keeping its options open, with Russell acknowledging the possibility of Verstappen becoming available without any prompting during a media day in Canada.
