P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell is not worried about his Mercedes contract negotiations being extended into the F1 off-season, despite the process going on longer than anticipated.
George Russell is confident that his contract extension with Mercedes will be finalized before the current F1 season ends. Although expected to continue with the team next year, the signing process has been slower than anticipated. Toto Wolff had already announced Russell and Kimi Antonelli as the team’s drivers for 2026 weeks ago. The delay in the contract extension has been attributed to Wolff’s interest in Max Verstappen. Russell emphasized the importance of getting the negotiations right and assured fans that the deal will be completed when the time is right. Despite no specific dates given, Russell remains unworried and focused on ensuring the agreement is handled carefully.
