George Russell continues to shine during a challenging season for Mercedes in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, and his podium finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix, aided by technical difficulties experienced by Ferrari, is clear evidence of his strong performance. Despite these impressive results, the British driver George Russell is still without a confirmed contract for the upcoming 2026 season. His future with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team appears settled in practice, but the formal agreement has not yet been officially announced. The wait for this confirmation has been lengthy, and the reasons behind it are now well understood within the F1 paddock.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, deliberately delayed the contract renewal decision
The decision to postpone the contract extension had much to do with uncertainties surrounding the future of Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion. Toto Wolff preferred to await developments from the Red Bull Racing camp, hoping the Dutch driver might consider a move to Brackley with Mercedes for the next season. However, Christian Horner’s departure from Red Bull Racing has effectively strengthened Verstappen’s position within the Milton Keynes-based team, despite ongoing technical challenges with the RB21 car.
With Max Verstappen now expected to remain at Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes, Mercedes has resumed contract discussions with George Russell. Toto Wolff hinted that an agreement is in place, though he has not yet officially confirmed it: “He will definitely stay. The team is strong. He showed that again today,” Wolff said following the conclusion of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Logically, the contract extension could be announced during the upcoming summer break.
George Russell remains calm and focused
From his side, George Russell has maintained his characteristic composure. The English driver has often stated he is in no rush and is more focused on the team’s development and growth than on contract negotiations. This calm attitude has been consistent for months and aligns with his thoughtful communication style. So far in the 2025 season, Russell has achieved six podium finishes, including an impressive victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, highlighting his value even in difficult phases and confirming a very strong run of form.
On the other side of the Mercedes garage, the situation for Kimi Antonelli appears more complex. The young Italian’s strong start to the season had raised hopes, with five points-scoring finishes in the first six races and a pole position in the Miami Sprint race. However, the middle part of the championship has seen a significant decline in performance, with only two points finishes in the last eight races, despite a notable podium finish in Canada.
Kimi Antonelli must prove he can bounce back
The weekend at Spa-Francorchamps arguably marked the lowest point of the season for Kimi Antonelli. Following a very difficult qualifying session, the young driver appeared visibly upset, with watery eyes before heading to post-race interviews in the Belgian paddock. This reaction is understandable given his age—only 18—and the intense pressure he faces driving for a top team in his rookie Formula 1 season. This high-pressure environment leaves very little margin for error.
There is a growing feeling that the early promotion given to Antonelli by Mercedes is beginning to weigh heavily on him. No one doubts the clear and undeniable talent of the Bolognese driver, but questions remain whether a more gradual progression, possibly within a team with fewer immediate expectations, might have allowed for more consistent and steady growth. Such opinions are starting to circulate within the paddock.
Toto Wolff has built a reputation for making solid, long-term decisions, especially regarding drivers. Yet even the best leaders can stumble when pressed to fill a major gap left by a legend like Lewis Hamilton. Betting on Kimi Antonelli for the 2025 season was and remains a fascinating gamble, but reality is starting to present a steeper challenge than initially expected.
This is still considered a transition year for Mercedes from a technical standpoint, a calculated choice likely made by Toto Wolff. With the certainty that the team will not be competing for championship titles this year and the confidence that a strong package will be available from 2026 onward, Wolff has been able to test Antonelli without placing excessive pressure on him. At least, that was the original plan.
Recent poor results may not have been anticipated, especially in this sequence. Antonelli returned to scoring points with a single point from the Hungarian Grand Prix, and this should be the foundation for rebuilding his progress during the remainder of the season. The goal is to have him as prepared as possible when it really matters—starting in the 2026 season, possibly alongside George Russell. Such a driver pairing could well become a key asset for Toto Wolff’s Mercedes team in the near future.
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