The news that George Russell has finally renewed his contract with Mercedes was unsurprising given that both badly needed the other for next year. Once Max Verstappen indicated he was going to remain at Red Bull for at least 2026, Russell was the only elite driver on the market and Mercedes was the only top team with a vacancy. Besides which, they’ve been together since Russell’s junior career. Why split now?
But Toto Wolff’s flirting with Verstappen has made the Russell alliance less cosy than it was. Throughout that period Russell’s comments suggested the scales were falling from his eyes and that he’s now under no illusions about his commodity status. As such, it would only be natural if he has taken a more ruthlessly selfish approach to his future.
Mercedes has backed his career since he was an F3 driver. He’s delivered at each step along the way and Wolff has ensured the opportunities followed: F2 champion to giant-killing performances with Williams to Lewis Hamilton’s starring stand-in at the big team to full time there, to matching Hamilton, then beating him, to leading the team and winning grands prix on a regular basis.
But now, having witnessed how quickly the focus could potentially switch away from him, he needs destiny more in his own hands. As such, it will be interesting to see if his management contract with the Wolffs (Toto and Susie) continues long term. Even if, from his new ‘me first’ perspective, he decides that Mercedes remains the best place for him longer term. It just no longer so automatically follows – because this is not necessarily a long-term deal. There is flexibility on both sides. They are not all-in for each other. It has the feel of a contingency arrangement.
There is nothing definitive in the communicating of the deal about contract length – almost certainly because of exit clauses on both sides because of that desire for flexibility: Mercedes because of the Verstappen colours it has already nailed to its mast. If he becomes available Wolff doesn’t want to be locked in position and unable to take advantage of that. Russell, unburdened of the grateful apprentice role, may see better competitive prospects outside of Mercedes. Or may not wish to be there alongside Verstappen. The flexibility works for both sides.
