The 2025 season of Formula 1 is in full swing, but as it is always the case in Motorsport, the driving transfers market for the next campaign is heating. Several drivers do not have a contract for the 2026 campaign, when Cadillac will join the network as the 11th F1 team, and rumors are gaining impulse as temperatures increase.
One of those drivers without a contract? Nothing less than the last winner of the F1 race, George Russell.
Both Russell and his teammate in Mercedes, rookie Kimi Antonelli, are under contract until season 2025. However, to listen to Russell explain the situation after his at the Canada Grand Prix, he is “loyal to Mercedes” and is not “worried” about his contract state for next season.
“[A]S I have said many times, I am not worried about next year, “Russell said when asked about his contract state after his victory in Montreal.” I know I’m going to be on the network next year. I feel that I am driving better than ever. I still feel that I have more in the tank.
“I Feel Reay To Fight for a World Championship, and I Think Results Like Today, Results Like Bahrain This Year We Got Half A Chance of a Good Result, We’re There To Take It. And I’M Pretty Relaxed, and Just, Enjoyying The Moment, Enoyoying The Moment, Enjoying Moment, Enjoyying The Moment, Enjoyying The Moment, Enjoyoying The Moment, Enjoyoying The Moment.
Rumors have persisted on a place in Mercedes for Max Verstappen, since Lewis Hamilton announced his intention to leave the team for Ferrari this season. In accordance with recent reports of Spokesman Verstappen, who is third in the classification of the F1 pilots championship, has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave the team if it is not among the first four at the end of June.
Russell indicated in Montreal that any team would be intelligent to be interested in Verstappen.
“There, there are any resentment with any of the conversations that have bones, especially around Max,” Russell said. “Because, as I said numerous occasions, why would the teams be interested in Max? If each driver did not have contracts for next year, Max would be number one for each team.”
There are also leg rumors that Russell has approached Bone for a possible movement of his own, maybe Aston Martin. However, the Mercedes driver set aside those reports, making it clear that his intention is to remain right where he is.
“No. I am not talking to anyone else and no team that has shown Tosn Interest, I have Bone Queen open to say that my intentions are staying with Mercedes, Russell added.” That is always clear in the leg. And I am loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this opportunity to enter Formula 1 “.
In the end, Russell believes that with himself and with Antonelli, Mercedes has something good. He is currently fourth in the classification of the pilot championship, with four podiums in addition to his victory in the Canada Grand Prix. Antonelli assured his first podium in Montreal, becoming the third podium finalist in the history of sport, behind Lance Stroll and Verstappen.
“But ultimately, there are two seats for each racing team. I knew that if I still act as I am doing, my position is not under threat. So, I feel in a good place,” Russell added.
“We are not in a hurry to make contractual negotiations. We want to win together. Especially Kimi and I the bees team will now get a result like today, both Mercedes junior pilots, we are both doing the work in terms of performance.
“Why would you want to change something that works?”