George Russell is assured he’s in the perfect seat in Method 1 to problem for the world title in 2026 after lastly signing his new Mercedes contract.
Mercedes formally confirmed on Wednesday that Russell and Kimi Antonelli would stay their driver pairing for subsequent season.
Though the information had been anticipated ever since identified goal Max Verstappen confirmed in July he was undoubtedly staying at Crimson Bull for 2026, negotiations over the ultimate particulars of Russell’s new deal had dragged on into the ultimate two months of this season.
Talking concerning the contract for the primary time in Austin on Thursday, Russell stated: “Looking into next year, there were a lot of things I wanted off-track to get right to allow me to perform at my very best on track.
“And the reality is, if each single seat was obtainable, and I might select any single seat to race for in 2026, I’d select to be within the Mercedes.
“I really suppose that’s the place that gives you the perfect likelihood of profitable the world championship subsequent yr with the whole lot I do know now.
“We might turn out to be wrong, but with everything we know now, I’m feeling really happy with the deal we’ve done, confident with the team, and looking forward to moving onwards and upwards.”
F1’s chassis and engine laws are being dramatically overhauled for subsequent season with Mercedes – who stole a march on the sector the final time F1 launched new energy items in 2014 to arrange an period of unprecedented title-winning success – being extensively tipped within the paddock because the possible 2026 front-runners.
Russell says contract size element ‘irrelevant’
Given Toto Wolff’s long-standing curiosity in Verstappen, the largest intrigue round Russell’s new contract as soon as it was introduced was at all times going to be round its period.
The staff’s official announcement solely said that Russell and Antonelli have been confirmed for 2026, with the dearth of wider element instantly resulting in recommendations that the drivers’ contractual standing was such that the door had been left ajar for Verstappen from 2027.
Sky Sports activities understands that Russell’s deal is definitely for a multi-year time period, which the Briton himself confirmed in interviews on Thursday. Nevertheless, the precise element of that contract period will not be identified past 2026.
Nonetheless, Russell stated that in the end the size of the deal was in the end not the factor that mattered most.
“I think if you look at Formula 1 as a whole, people say a driver has signed for X years, but then it doesn’t turn out to be like this, and there’s all different clauses and stuff,” stated Russell.
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Russell claimed pole regardless of hitting the wall on the Singapore GP
“It’s almost like an irrelevant piece of information, because if things are going well, everything continues, if they’re not, that’s where the discussions happen, generally speaking.
“I am loyal to Mercedes, they’ve proven their loyalty in me, and I imagine going into 2026, Mercedes undoubtedly has my greatest likelihood of profitable a world championship.”
Speaking to the written press, Russell added: “It at all times simply comes all the way down to efficiency. For any driver, or at the least for myself, what permits me to sleep properly at evening is realizing that my performances are robust, and that’s what will preserve you within the sport.
“Our intention and my goal is to continue with Mercedes indefinitely, and we’re here to focus on winning in 2026.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell United States GP schedule
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Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the USA Grand Prix
Friday October 17
6pm: United States GP Apply One (observe begins at 6.30pm)*
8.30pm: Workforce Principals’ Press Convention
10pm: United States GP Dash Qualifying (qualifying begins at 10.30pm*)
Saturday October 18
5pm: United States GP Dash build-up
6pm: UNITED STATES GP SPRINT
7pm: Ted’s Dash Pocket book
9pm: United States GP Qualifying build-up*
10pm: UNITED STATES GP QUALIFYING*
12am (Sunday morning): Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
Sunday October 19
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up*
8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP response
11pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion
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