George Russell wants one ‘reassurance’ from Toto Wolff before committing his F1 future to Mercedes

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George Russell still hasn’t signed a new Mercedes contract with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

The Formula 1 driver market has been relatively calm this season, despite neither Mercedes driver being confirmed for 2026 yet.

George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are the first combination of drivers that Mercedes have had that doesn’t include a world champion.

When Mercedes first joined the grid, Nico Rosberg was joined by Michael Schumacher.

When the seven-time world champion retired for the second time, Lewis Hamilton stepped into his seat before deciding to join Ferrari this season.

Rosberg suggested Hamilton had ‘bragging rights’ over Russell last season, but in reality, the four-time race winner was quicker in qualifying and scored more points.

Alongside Antonelli, Russell has clearly established himself as Toto Wolff’s number one driver.

However, that hasn’t accelerated contract talks, and journalist Julianne Cerasoli has provided more details on how he’s feeling about putting pen to paper for 2026 and beyond.

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George Russell wants ‘reassurance’ that Max Verstappen won’t replace him after 2026

Mercedes have been linked with Max Verstappen throughout the year, and while he’s committed to Red Bull for 2026, there are no certainties that he’ll see out his contract until the end of 2028.

Cerasoli was speaking on the Nailing the Apex Podcast and speaking about Russell’s situation, she said: “I asked him directly what the problem is with your contract? Is it length because we know OK, next year it’s sorted, but what about when Max is available?

“There will be something in his contract, and these contracts are not simple, something saying if Max is available, you will be the first to know, and you can negotiate because you’re out.

“He has to think about 2027, he has to think about 2028. His contract is not for next year. Next year it’s done. He will stay there.

“But it’s when there’s another driver, namely Max Verstappen, available. What is going to happen to this contract?

“I’m pretty sure that he wants some reassurance that he’s not going to be the one who is going to leave Mercedes if and when that happens.

“But we know how Toto is super connected with Kimi, and Kimi is his baby, somehow, in a way, and he will want to make Kimi become a very good driver, and it would be in his dreams to have Max, who is the driver he lost to Helmut Marko and Kimi in the same team. So he’s not in a very good position to negotiate anything.”

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Mercedes have decided whether to loan out Andrea Kimi Antonelli for the 2026 F1 season

One solution for Mercedes would be to try to convince Verstappen to leave Red Bull at the end of this season and find another seat for Antonelli.

Antonelli has struggled recently, and while Wolff has publicly suggested he’ll be retaining both of his drivers, doubts will start to creep in if the Italian can’t turn around his troubling recent form.

Mercedes have ruled out sending Antonelli on loan, with Alpine looking like the only feasible landing spot for 2026.

It would take the pressure off the teenager, but if Verstappen were somehow lured away from Red Bull to replace him, it’s very hard to see him getting back into his old seat.

Wolff is in a luxurious position, chasing the fastest driver on the grid and managing two more top talents, but eventually, he’s going to have to commit to one pairing for Mercedes’ long-term future.