P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has said Toto Wolff could have squeezed him harder in his recently-signed Mercedes contract extension.
George Russell stated that Toto Wolff could have been “substantially tighter” during his Mercedes negotiations. The British driver’s contract extension with the eight-time constructors’ champions was announced before the United States Grand Prix. There was speculation and delay surrounding the deal, with reports of Russell not being happy with the proposed extension length due to Max Verstappen’s looming threat. Russell’s contract renewal took longer than expected even after Verstappen committed to Red Bull until 2028. The announced deal is for 2026, with undisclosed details, but Russell is reportedly “very happy” with the terms, valued at £30 million per year. Russell emphasized the importance of rewarding those delivering results on track in his comments at the Circuit of the Americas.
