P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell may have re-signed with Mercedes for the 2026 season, but the team have been slammed by an F1 champion for the whole contract saga.
After re-signing with Mercedes for the 2026 season, George Russell faced criticism from an F1 champion for the drawn-out contract negotiations. Mercedes ultimately confirmed the lineup of Russell and Kimi Antonelli for next year following talks and originally pursuing Max Verstappen, who chose to stay at Red Bull. Russell’s new ‘multi-year’ contract reflects his confidence in Mercedes as regulations change. 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve supported Mercedes’ decision, emphasizing Russell’s pivotal role and impressive performances this season. Villeneuve also questioned who Mercedes would have chosen if not Russell, given his high level of talent in F1. This saga highlighted the competitive landscape and decisions faced by teams in the sport.
