P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has rejected the notion that he is a tough negotiator, but insists F1 driver contracts must be “mutually beneficial” as his Mercedes extension drags on.
George Russell believes that F1 driver contracts should be “mutually beneficial” and denies being a tough negotiator. He is currently in talks with Mercedes for an extended contract through the 2026 season, yet negotiations are taking longer than expected, mainly due to the contract length being a major point of contention. Russell and Mercedes seem to be at odds over the proposed ‘one plus one’ deal, with Russell seeking more long-term security amidst interest from Mercedes in Max Verstappen. Despite his standout performances, Russell faces uncertainty with Mercedes, especially as attention shifts to young talent like Kimi Antonelli within the team. Despite ongoing delays, Toto Wolff remains committed to retaining Russell for next season, with details such as PR days and contract clauses still needing to be finalized.
