P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell is having the best season of his F1 career and yet remains without a contract for 2026. Here’s why
Although George Russell is performing exceptionally well in the current Formula 1 season, he is surprisingly still without a contract for the 2026 season. Russell’s results this year indicate a potential similar outcome to his 2022 season with a win, multiple podium finishes, and a high championship position. The paddock sentiment suggests he is effectively filling the void at Mercedes left by Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. Despite his strong performance and lack of viable alternatives, Russell remains a free agent with no new deal from Mercedes at the moment. The delay in negotiations is due to various factors, including Mercedes’ occasional interest in Max Verstappen. Russell remains positive about his future and is confident that he will secure a new contract in due time. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff assures that the negotiations are ongoing and that Russell’s enhanced status warrants thorough discussions.
