George Russell told to offer Mercedes a final contract ultimatum as 2026 talks continue

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There are just two months before the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season and one of the most in-form drivers in the championship is still a free agent for next year.

Somehow, George Russell is yet to come to an agreement with Mercedes over his next deal, and with six races to go, he still doesn’t know where he will be in January. The Briton has enjoyed a long-term partnership with the Silver Arrows, but cracks are starting to show in their relationship.

An impressive position in the drivers’ championship and one of the top five drivers currently, it’s hard to see why Russell wouldn’t be rewarded with at least a two-year deal for his recent efforts. Lingering doubts over Max Verstappen’s future might be creating a rift, though.

If Red Bull can’t create a good car heading into the 2026 F1 regulations, then their driver may want to jump ship. Although Russell will ‘compromise’ with Mercedes, he doesn’t want to put his own future at risk. Lewis Hamilton thinks Russell is ‘mega’, and most believe he deserves a big payday.

READ MORE: Martin Brundle left very surprised by George Russell stat that emerged after his Singapore GP win

George Russell advised to tell Mercedes he’s prepared not to race in Formula 1 in 2026

Russell realistically expects a Mercedes deal to be done, but the delay is at least slightly worrying. They have invested so much in him, and are risking doing damage to their relationship by not being loyal back to a driver who has transformed into an experienced and capable team leader.

After a tense start in Singapore at the last race, Verstappen said Russell made him ‘nervous’, and there aren’t many drivers on the grid that can do that to a four-time champion. It won’t be the last time they fight for victory against each other this season.

As contract talks progress, Guenther Steiner has urged Russell to be prepared to tell Mercedes that he won’t race in 2026 if they don’t give him the deal that he wants. It would be a bold move, but it’s difficult to see who they would replace him with. He has some ‘leverage’.

“Obviously, George is saying, that doesn’t work for me [1+1 year deal].” he said. “That’s not my ideal situation, and in the moment, who is performing? George. So he’s in a pretty good position to negotiate.

“I wouldn’t say he has got a lot of leverage, but he has got a lot of good reasons why he should get a contract.

“And why he doesn’t bend over to get a contract? For next year, but think about it, Mercedes is in even a tougher place,” Steiner continued. “Who would they put in there, if he doesn’t sign a one-year contract? And that is his leverage, because Mercedes would be, who [do] they put in there?

“Yeah, and I think that for George, is perfectly fine with the form he’s in at the moment. If he makes that commitment [not racing in 2026], I think somebody will find a place for him.

“We were just talking about Alpine, maybe Alpine says, ‘Hey, if you’re on the market.’ To get a calibre like him in a car, everybody will want him.”

READ MORE: Toto Wolff gives intriguing six-word response when asked about George Russell’s Mercedes contract talks

When did George Russell last sign a Formula 1 contract?

Not only is Russell’s contract about to expire, but an extension is long overdue compared to his rivals. Almost everyone around him has had a better deal given to them.

McLaren have revised both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris’ deals since Russell last signed a contract extension in 2023, handing them long-term security.

Since joining Mercedes, he beat Hamilton in two of their three seasons as teammates and has taken on a new team leadership role very well.

There’s an argument to suggest that he might have deserved another new contract in 2024, but waiting until 2025 was meant to be assuring for both sides.

For Russell, it was a chance to perform well and enhance some of the numbers in the deal, while Mercedes could scan the Formula 1 driver market for a little longer. Soon, the ordeal must end.