P1racenews AI automatic summary:
“Hopefully soon because of the job he’s doing this year, I don’t think anyone’s really doing a better job.”
Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 world champion, is surprised that Mercedes has not offered George Russell a new contract despite his standout performances in the 2025 season. Mercedes has yet to announce their F1 driver lineup for 2026, with Toto Wolff stating that Russell will remain alongside Kimi Antonelli without a formal announcement. Mercedes also showed interest in signing Max Verstappen and is keen on bringing the Dutchman to the team, although he is under contract with Red Bull until 2028. This delay in negotiations with Russell could indicate that Mercedes wants to keep their options open. Russell’s remarkable performances have earned praise, with Button mentioning that no other driver on the grid is doing a better job this season. Despite uncertainties, Russell’s driving has been described as beautiful and exceptional by commentators like Martin Brundle.
