Toto Wolff explains factor Mercedes had to consider in George Russell’s new contract talks

Toto Wolff has given an insight into one of the details that Mercedes had to “readjust” and “recalibrate” when working on George Russell’s contract renewal, a deal that was announced just before the United States Grand Prix.

Speculation about the Silver Arrows’ driver line-up for 2026 persisted for some time earlier in the season, with Max Verstappen linked to the team at certain stages despite holding a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028.

Once the Dutchman had publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the Milton Keynes-based squad for next year, there was much focus on when the futures of Russell and team mate Kimi Antonelli would be confirmed.

Russell revealed in August that it was a case of “when not if” he would sign a new contract to remain with the team into 2026, while Wolff had also stated that his hope was to “stay with Kimi and George as it stands”.

It was later confirmed in October that both drivers will continue on at Mercedes next season, with Wolff commenting on the announcement: “We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy.”

As such, the Team Principal was asked during F1’s visit to Austin a few days later about which details had taken that bit longer to get over the line for Russell’s deal, to which he explained that the 27-year-old’s progression to a more senior status within the squad had been a factor.

“If you sign a contract or a renewal of a contract with a driver that has progressed from being on a more junior side to the lead driver, who has shown what he is able to do, you just need to readjust, you just need to recalibrate certain terms,” said Wolff.

“This is what we did, and that’s done now.”

Russell – who has raced for the Brackley-based outfit since 2022 after previously being a member of the Mercedes Junior Programme – stepped up as the team’s lead driver this season following the exit of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.

The Briton has since embarked on one of his strongest campaigns to date, kickstarting the year with a number of podium appearances before going on to clinch victories in Canada and Singapore.

This has put Russell in fourth place of the Drivers’ Championship, while Mercedes will be looking to fight back against Ferrari after losing P2 in the Teams’ standings to the Scuderia following the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.