P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell secured a new Mercedes contract for this year – but there was a lot of noise surrounding the deal.
George Russell admitted that he learned valuable lessons from the contract delay with Mercedes last year.
Despite entering the 2025 season with an expiring contract, Russell maintained strong performance during the first half of the year.
Speculation surrounding Max Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes added to the uncertainty about Russell’s future with the team.
Finally, in mid-October, Russell and his teammate were confirmed for the 2026 season, following the cooling off of the Verstappen-Mercedes rumors.
Russell emphasized the importance of feeling appreciated by the team and noted that focusing on his on-track performance was crucial amid external distractions.
He concluded that he had learned to block out outside noise and prioritize delivering results on the racetrack as the most effective way to secure his position within the team.
