Toto Wolff could now ‘manipulate’ George Russell’s new Mercedes contract to finalise 2026 agreement

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George Russell successfully embraced his new role as Mercedes’ team leader after Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari, yet the Briton is still without a contract for 2026.

The Silver Arrows backed Russell to steer them through the 2025 F1 season alongside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli following Hamilton’s move to Maranello after 12 terms in Brackley. He comfortably stepped into the role, too, with the 27-year-old penning 172 of their 236 points.

Additionally, Russell won the Canadian Grand Prix from pole position to secure the only pole and race win that Mercedes have so far scored this season. He also boasts six of their seven podiums after 14 of this term’s 24 rounds to sit fourth in the 2025 F1 drivers’ championship.

Russell is even helping Mercedes develop their car for F1’s 2026 regulations, but he does so without any guarantees that the King’s Lynn native will race for the team next year. Russell’s £12m-a-year Mercedes contract, which can rise to £18m via bonuses, expires in December.

Toto Wolff could ‘manipulate’ George Russell’s new Mercedes contract to include an ‘escape’ clause

Russell has held negotiations with Mercedes throughout 2025 to debate a new contract. But team principal Toto Wolff kept a grey cloud over his future while Mercedes eyed a swoop for Max Verstappen, in case the 27-year-old could use a release clause in his Red Bull contract.

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

A swoop for the four-time champion is off the cards, though, with Verstappen confirming he will drive for Red Bull in 2026 after his release clause did not become active. Yet Wolff could ‘manipulate’ Russell’s new Mercedes contract to add an ‘escape’ to get Verstappen for 2027.

That is according to RacingNews365, which notes that Mercedes boast the upper hand over Russell, as the Briton lacks alternatives to drive for a top team in 2026. So, while he wants a long-term deal, the four-time Grand Prix winner may have to accept a ‘less-than-ideal’ offer.

It is likely that any agreement for Russell to race for Mercedes in 2026 will include options to stay beyond next term. But Wolff is acting very much with Verstappen in his long-term plans, and wants to keep a door open for Mercedes to potentially sign the Dutchman in the future.

Toto Wolff is weighing up risking George Russell leaving to keep Max Verstappen in play for 2027

Wolff knows Mercedes risk repeating the mistake that saw Hamilton join Ferrari if they only gift Russell a one-year contract with options beyond 2026. The seven-time champion chose to leave the Silver Arrows, as his final contract with the team was a one-plus-one-year deal.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff

But it is a risk that Wolff is exploring to keep a door open for Mercedes to target Verstappen, whose release clause at Red Bull may be more realistic next year. He had to rank outside the top three in the 2025 standings this summer, yet only has to be outside the top two in 2026.

Verstappen hit the 2025 summer break sat third in the drivers’ championship, facing 97 and 88-point deficits to McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the top of the standings. Russell also hit the summer break fourth in the standings, just 15 points behind Verstappen.