George Russell shares what’s ‘realistically’ going to happen with his Mercedes contract after Singapore win

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Mercedes driver George Russell called his victory at the Singapore Grand Prix the most ‘dominant’ win of his Formula 1 career.

For the second time this season, George Russell took pole position and went on to win for Mercedes, highlighting how well he’s been driving all year.

Only a dominant McLaren team and four-time world champion Max Verstappen have got the better of Russell in the drivers’ championship.

While Verstappen is still technically not out of the equation when it comes to winning a fifth consecutive title, Russell is too far back to be in consideration, even if the gap to Oscar Piastri is now less than 100 points.

Many fans were wondering how Russell would step up as team leader at Mercedes alongside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli after Lewis Hamilton decided to join Ferrari.

However, both Antonelli and Russell entered this season with no contract for 2026, putting them under serious pressure.

Antonelli’s new deal is essentially sorted, but the delay on Russell’s deal continues.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff called Russell ‘mega’ on the team radio after the race, but no agreement has been reached with his senior driver, who also happens to manage.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

George Russell explains his Mercedes contract situation after winning the Singapore Grand Prix

Russell was asked on Sky Sports F1 (5/10 3:50 pm) whether people would hear before the next race at the United States Grand Prix whether any news about his new contract would break.

He said: “I mean, it’s quite convenient that I can’t actually hear you very well!

“I don’t know, you’re speaking to the wrong person here. I think we all want to get it done, but ultimately, like I said before, it’s got to be right. I’m not going to rush things.

“There’s no need to rush things for either of us, but realistically, it’s going to happen.”

There are no other seats that would appeal to Russell were he to leave Mercedes, which makes a new contract seem inevitable.

However, Russell wants a special clause in his new deal to protect against the potential threat of Verstappen joining the team.

Russell also wants to manage his media commitments, with the calendar becoming more and more intense, every spare hour he can use to recover, train and prepare could be vital as he sets his sights on the 2026 championship.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

George Russell explains why he thinks he’s in a ‘really great space’ this season

Russell was also asked after the race why he thinks he’s in such a good position this year, and said: “I think I’m just in a really great space with my group of engineers around me.

“My group of friends as well, and I just know exactly what I need to do sort of week in, week out, and just knowing, when I go to Singapore, what it is I need to look out for.

“When I go to Austin, what is it that I need to look out for, and I just feel in a great place and driving better than ever.”

Jenson Button suggested Russell has been on the same level as Verstappen this year, which is incredible praise considering the form the Dutchman has been in during the past few seasons.

It would be fascinating to see where he would be in the championship this year if he were in a third McLaren car, and his advantage over Antonelli highlights how quick he’s been throughout 2025.