George Russell says he feels “no stress” over his ongoing look forward to a brand new Mercedes deal as a result of he believes long-term contracts in Components 1 do not “really mean anything”.
The 27-year-old British driver is within the ultimate yr of his present cope with the Silver Arrows, with the absence of an extension significantly notable as a consequence of his sturdy performances.
Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff mentioned final month that he has put final yr’s public makes an attempt to signal reigning world champion Max Verstappen on maintain, however instability on the Dutchman’s Pink Bull staff and Russell’s unsecured future have ensured it stays a speaking level.
Requested about his contract scenario forward of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Russell mentioned: “From my facet, there’s actually no stress, no worries in anyway.
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Max Verstappen gave a spiky response to questions concerning his future at Pink Bull and mentioned ‘lots of people are speaking’ however insisted he’s not serious about it
“On the subject of contracts, everybody will get so enthusiastic about it, and the actual fact is, drivers have had contracts, and if they do not carry out, they will get booted out.
“For drivers, performance is our currency. That’s what we’ve got. And if you perform, everything’s good. So, I’m just excited to go racing this weekend, focus on performance, and the future sorts itself out.”
Russell: Some rumours ‘fairly shut’ to the reality
Russell has made a particularly sturdy begin to his 2025 marketing campaign, scoring three podiums within the opening 4 rounds to sit down simply 14 factors off McLaren’s Lando Norris on the high of the standings.
Autosport reported earlier this week that Russell was near signing a two-year extension, with an possibility for an additional season in 2028.
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In a tense ultimate lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Russell and Lando Norris battled it out for P2, with Oscar Piastri comfortably out in entrance
Sky Sports activities F1’s Rachel Brookes requested Russell concerning the validity of that hearsay, together with various theories that he has held no discussions with Mercedes but, and that his sturdy type has been an irritation to the Verstappen camp as it will weaken their negotiating place.
Russell replied: “Rumours are never that truthful are they.
“If you mentioned rumours, I did not actually hear a lot. A number of of them are fairly shut, I suppose, however on the finish of the day, we have by no means mentioned a contract previous to Could or June in a season.”
The three-time Grand Prix winner then defined why he considers signing a long-term contract to not be of main significance.
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Norris and Russell take a better take a look at their race footage within the cool-down room following the Bahrain Grand Prix
He mentioned: “I’d say the more abnormal point is how many drivers have these, sort of, long-term deals.
“However everybody’s received exit clauses, they’ve all received efficiency clauses. A driver that is on a three-year contract, it would not actually imply something if they have an exit clause, or the staff has an exit clause if the motive force would not carry out. It would not actually imply so much.
“If you’ve got a contract with a team but the team wants you gone, the team finds a way to get you gone.
“That is how this sport works, and that is the way it ought to work as a result of we’re 20 of the perfect on the earth and it is ruthless. There is no time to fiddle. All you are able to do is concentrate on driving quick.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Saudi Arabian GP Schedule
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Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Friday April 18
- 10.50am: F2 Observe
- 12pm: F1 Academy Observe
- 2pm: Saudi Arabian GP Observe One (session begins at 2.30pm)
- 3.55pm: F2 Qualifying
- 4.40pm: Crew Bosses’ Press Convention
- 5.45pm: Saudi Arabian GP Observe Two (session begins at 6pm)
- 7.25pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
- 8.10pm: The F1 Present
Saturday April 19
- 1.15pm: F1 Academy Race 1
- 2.05pm: Saudi Arabian GP Observe Three (session begins at 2.30pm)*
- 4.10pm: F2 Dash
- 5.10pm: Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying build-up
- 6pm: SAUDI ARABIAN GP QUALIFYING
Sunday April 20
- 1pm: F1 Academy Race 2
- 2.20pm: F2 Function Race
- 4.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
- 6pm: THE SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX*
- 8pm: Saudi Arabian GP response: Chequered flag
*Additionally reside on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion
Components 1 completes its first triple-header of 2025 in Jeddah with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
