P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell is still without a contract for 2026, but has no concerns over how long it is taking to sign a new Mercedes deal.
George Russell has disclosed the dilemma of “risk-reward” in his contract discussions with Mercedes, particularly regarding the duration of the new agreement. Despite remaining contract-less for 2026, the British driver is staying composed and is confident he will continue with the Silver Arrows. Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, has reiterated that a new contract will be extended to Russell, the current team leader post Lewis Hamilton’s departure. Russell, who has been pivotal in scoring points for the team amid challenges faced by rookie Kimi Antonelli, has emphasized his allegiance to Mercedes as the sole team under consideration in his negotiations. While the new contract is pending amidst the 2026 power unit regulations, the 27-year-old driver seems unworried about the situation, stating that discussions are progressing positively without any time pressure from either party. Russell assured select media that the talks are advancing in the right direction, albeit taking longer due to various concurrent priorities, emphasizing the importance of finalizing a suitable agreement.
