Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff says there’s “no gamesmanship” in his contract talks with George Russell and revealed a brand new deal is “a formality”.
Russell and Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli are each out of contract on the finish of this yr, with the British driver stating forward of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix that he selected to delay negotiations over the summer season break to make sure “everything is right”.
Sky Sports activities Information understands talks between Mercedes and Russell have been advancing in the direction of a multi-year deal which might see him keep on the staff till at the very least the tip of 2027.
“George is a Mercedes driver and Kimi as well. They are part of the team, part of the structure,” Wolff instructed Sky Sports activities F1 at Zandvoort.
“Where we are is formalities. How can we optimise his performance, his marketing days, his travel? These are not trivial things. We have started to sit down and put our heads together to discuss that. [It is] a formality.”
In June, Russell acknowledged talks over a brand new contract have been being held up by Wolff speaking to Max Verstappen over a seismic signing that might see the four-time world champion be a part of Mercedes. Final month, Verstappen confirmed he would keep at Crimson Bull subsequent yr.
Requested if Russell was now delaying negotiations, Wolff responded: “No, under no circumstances. George has been with us for 10 years. There is not any gamesmanship or video games being performed with one another.
“The target is to have each other in the best possible place, so there is no negotiating tactic on either side.”
Russell: No main time strain over new Mercedes contract
Russell is seen as among the finest drivers on the grid, having produced a powerful 2024 marketing campaign, dominating Lewis Hamilton in qualifying and ending 22 factors away from his team-mate within the driver’s standings regardless of dropping out on a victory in Belgium due to a disqualification that was not his fault.
The possibility to claim himself was additional enhanced when Wolff determined to gamble on placing hugely-inexperienced Antonelli within the different 2025 Mercedes automotive, with the Italian teenager certain to wish a while to search out his toes at motorsport’s prime stage.
This season has seen Russell just do that, scoring six podiums and taking Mercedes’ solely life like alternative of successful on the Canadian Grand Prix.
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George Russell joins Karun Chandhok on the SkyPad to look again at his pole lap of the Canadian GP
Russell instructed Sky Sports activities F1: “I definitely wanted to take the summer to really think about my future, because it’s obviously important for everybody when you’re discussing the coming years.
“The staff and Toto have been very open to discussing or discovering an answer throughout the break, however I simply wished to take that point.
“There are execs and cons when it comes to length. The reality is, I simply need to win, and I need to win with Mercedes. If I may select, that’s what I’d select to do.
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Within the Hungarian Grand Prix cool-down room, Mercedes’ George Russell gives ‘recommendation’ to the McLaren pair which might have resulted in his victory!
“But, of course, things have to be right, things have to be aligned – there’s a lot more to our job than just driving on a Sunday afternoon.
“It is positively transferring in the suitable course however there isn’t any time strain from my aspect, there isn’t any main time strain from the staff’s aspect, so I simply need to guarantee it is performed proper, and never performed shortly.”
Sky Sports F1’s Dutch GP schedule
Friday August 29
2.45pm: Dutch Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 3pm)*
4.25pm: F1 Academy Practice 2
5.20pm: The F1 Show
Saturday August 30
9.20am: F1 Academy Qualifying
10.05am: Dutch Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 10:30am)*
1pm: Dutch Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
2pm: DUTCH GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
4pm: F1 Academy Race 1
Sunday August 31
9.35am: F1 Academy Race 2
10.50am: Porsche Supercup Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up
2pm: The DUTCH GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP reaction
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 returns after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
