Mercedes Confirms George Russell Contract Talks as Formality Despite Delay

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has described the contract renewal talks with driver George Russell as a 'formality,' despite delays that have sparked speculation about Russell's future with the team. The delay in finalizing the contract was partly due to Mercedes exploring the possibility of signing Max Verstappen, who has since confirmed he will remain with Red Bull. Russell himself chose to pause negotiations during the summer break to focus on his offseason, with discussions now resumed and reportedly nearing conclusion. Wolff emphasized the importance of ironing out minor details such as performance optimization and marketing commitments to maximize Russell's effectiveness. Meanwhile, Mercedes continues to support rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli, viewing him as a long-term investment despite recent performance challenges. The team has yet to officially announce its 2026 lineup but is widely expected to retain both Russell and Antonelli.