Mercedes delays announcing George Russell’s contract renewal: does Max Verstappen have a role?. George Russell and Mercedes are determined to renew the contract, but the official announcement is taking time.

With the arrival of Kimi Antonelli, George Russell must prove he can compete with the young eighteen-year-old: Mercedes believes in him and wants to renew the contract. Toto Wolff has confirmed this, but also clarified that the announcement won’t come quickly and explained why.

Some see Max Verstappen’s involvement in this matter, as he could jeopardize George Russell’s position. However, the Mercedes team principal intervened to clarify the situation and reassure the fans of the British driver, who has shown excellent performances at the start of the season.

Both Mercedes drivers’ contracts will expire at the end of 2025. When asked about George Russell’s future, Toto Wolff didn’t hide the team’s intentions. “It’s almost an open secret. We intend to confirm our drivers for the long term, things are progressing in the right direction.”

George Russell’s Announcement Delayed
Max Verstappen is a secured piece in the driver market, as his current contract with Red Bull binds him to the Austrian team until 2028. However, in reality, the Dutch driver is often linked to other teams since Horner’s team stopped dominating. There were talks of a move to Aston Martin, where, with an offer with astronomical numbers and the presence of Adrian Newey, they might try to tempt Max.

Another possibility regarding the four-time world champion involves a potential move to Mercedes. Is this the reason why George Russell and the German team are delaying the renewal announcement? No, Toto Wolff, in an interview with motorsport.com, explained the real reason. “A contract doesn’t just define that a driver will drive a car; there are other aspects that need to be discussed, in the interest of both the team and the driver. It’s a structured process, and it takes some time.”