Timo Glock puts George Russell forward as an option for unexpected F1 team amid Mercedes contract talks

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George Russell’s future at Mercedes is hanging in the balance as he tries to secure a deal for 2026.

The Brit has been one of the strongest drivers on the grid in 2025. Winning his first race of the season in Canada, Russell sits nine points behind Max Verstappen in fourth.

Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli are both out of contract at the end of the season. Their futures at Mercedes have been thrown into uncertainty as Toto Wolff inadvertently confirmed talks with Verstappen.

Mercedes have been pursuing Verstappen for some time, as he has appeared dissatisfied with the current situation at Red Bull. His DNF at the Austrian Grand Prix would have added fuel to the fire, with Verstappen’s exit clause set to activate due to his position in the standings.

Speculation surrounding the four-time champion has put Mercedes’ current driver line-up in an unknown situation. Russell himself admitted that Verstappen’s talks with the Silver Arrows have delayed his contract negotiations.

Ted Kravitz says Russell is ‘going to get’ a new deal with Mercedes, with the Brit keen on staying in Brackley. However, there is every chance that he could end up elsewhere if they are reluctant to let special talent Antonelli go and sign Verstappen.

Timo Glock puts George Russell forward as an option for Cadillac in 2026 amid Mercedes contract talks

Russell will be the most sought-after free agent on the F1 driver market if he does leave Mercedes. The 27-year-old already has his admirers.

Aston Martin have been linked with the Brit as they look to become a frontrunner under the new technical regulations. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are both contracted until 2026, but could reassess their options, with Verstappen also being linked with the Silverstone outfit.

However, Russell’s links to Aston Martin are said to be ‘nonsense’ spread by Christian Horner as he tries to ‘aggravate’ Wolff during his negotiations for 2026. As Russell waits for his new Mercedes contract, Timo Glock has put him forward for an unexpected move.

Speaking via Sky Germany, the former F1 driver has listed Cadillac as a potential option. The American brand will bring two extra seats to the grid as the 11th team in 2026.

“He could compete with Max Verstappen; Aston Martin or Cadillac are also options. With the performances he’s shown, he’s making himself interesting for the teams. With his performances, he has nothing to hide,” he said.

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

Why Cadillac would not be a good fit for George Russell in 2026

Cadillac does seem like an attractive project. The General Motors-backed team are putting in millions to make themselves a competitive outfit, with them set to become an engine supplier by the end of the decade.

Cadillac are ‘paying a premium’ to attract rival staff to join their team. Looking for a workforce of 600 people, they could provide Russell a strong financial incentive to join them.

However, like most new F1 teams on the grid, it takes time to get the ball rolling. It would not be surprising to see Cadillac towards the back in 2026.

Going from a race-winning team to the back row would surely not be what Russell will be looking for next season, nor does his talent deserve that. Mercedes are tipped to have the fastest engine in 2026; he could be a title contender if he stays put.