Salary, duration and teammates: the Russell-Mercedes renewal is moving slowly
The deal that is not there
The Formula 1 driver market is experiencing a rather unusual situation, even for a sport as accustomed to sudden twists as the Circus. George Russell and Mercedes appear almost certain to continue together into the 2026 season – partly because all the other top seats are already taken for next year – yet the contract extension, which is due to expire at the end of this season, has not been signed.
The situation is delicate because different interests and strategies overlap, and Russell’s negotiations are formally managed by Toto Wolff and Mercedes themselves. This inevitably raises the risk of a conflict of interest. Tensions are fueled by Wolff’s determined pursuit of Max Verstappen, which began last season and has continued into this year. According to reports from the Japanese outlet Autosport Web, Wolff may have used the possibility of Verstappen’s arrival next year as leverage in discussions, offering Russell a salary far below what the Briton is demanding and refusing to compromise on contract length, which Mercedes would prefer to limit to just a single year.
Money and clauses
George Russell, on the other hand, is pushing for a multi-year contract that would give him long-term security in the event Verstappen did join Mercedes in the near future. He also wants a salary comparable to that of his friend and rival Lando Norris at McLaren, estimated at around $20 million. By contrast, Russell’s current salary is believed to sit closer to $16 million. Bridging that gap will be necessary, but far from easy.
In addition, the British driver – who is currently enjoying the best season of his career in 2025 – is seeking the introduction of performance-related clauses to protect him in relation to his current teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. One realistic option would be to include an automatic contract extension if Russell consistently finishes ahead of the young Italian in the standings by a certain margin of points.
However, another possible outcome cannot be ruled out: Russell might choose to accept a one-year renewal, appoint an independent manager, and then test the market for 2027. That season could prove particularly attractive, as several top drivers’ contracts are set to expire at the end of next year. Among them are Lewis Hamilton – although he has an option in his favor with Ferrari – and Fernando Alonso, who could retire if Aston Martin fail to provide him with a car capable of fighting for podiums and victories by 2026. Such a scenario would create a fascinating driver-market shuffle with potential ripple effects across the entire Formula 1 grid.
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