The debate surrounding the future of Mercedes drivers continues to make headlines. As reported previously on Formulacritica, discussions in Brackley have been ongoing for weeks, even months, regarding George Russell’s contract extension, while speculation lingers about a potential mid-term arrival of Max Verstappen. According to Juan Pablo Montoya, the former Williams and McLaren driver, there is no reason to delay renewing Russell’s contract.
“I don’t know what Toto is thinking, but George is proving they don’t need Max. Russell can be as strong as Verstappen in the future,” Montoya told As Colombia, highlighting how the British driver is having a standout season. “This year he has won two races with a car that, in theory, wasn’t fully equipped to win.”
The Colombian, who shared the paddock with legends like Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen, is confident that Russell’s performance is key to Mercedes’ new era. “This situation shows that if Mercedes wants to secure someone for the future, it has to be Russell. By doing this, George is essentially forcing the team to give him everything he wants.”
Russell as Mercedes’ cornerstone
Montoya’s endorsement comes at a strategic moment for Toto Wolff’s team. Max Verstappen has already reiterated his intention to honor his Red Bull contract, which runs until 2028. The common expectation is that a final decision on future driver line-ups will come in 2026, depending on the team’s ability to adapt to the new technical regulations. In this context, extending Russell’s contract appears to be the most logical step to ensure continuity in Brackley’s technical and human project while assessing if Mercedes can consistently fight at the top again.
With Andrea Kimi Antonelli not expected to lose his seat despite a 2025 season that has not been particularly impressive, the responsibility of leading Mercedes’ future clearly rests on George Russell’s shoulders. His performances this year have convinced even someone like Juan Pablo Montoya, who is known for being straightforward and never lenient in his judgments. Whether Toto Wolff will be equally persuaded and deliver the multi-year extension that Russell desires remains to be seen.
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