Paddock rumours | Lawrence Stroll’s veto blocks George Russell’s future at Aston Martin. According to Corriere dello Sport, George Russell will never join Aston Martin.

According to reports from Corriere dello Sport, if George Russell were to leave Mercedes after the 2026 Formula 1 season, Aston Martin would not be an option for his future. The British driver’s renewal with the Silver Arrows has raised several questions, but one thing seems certain: a move to the team owned by Lawrence Stroll is off the table.

Russell’s contract renewal

When Max Verstappen decided to continue his career with Red Bull for the 2026 season, it became immediately clear that Mercedes had only one logical route ahead — securing the services of George Russell and young talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli for the next championship.

The announcement took longer than expected but finally arrived on the eve of the United States Grand Prix. However, Mercedes’ official statement did not specify the duration of the contracts. It simply referred to participation in the 2026 World Championship, without mentioning any multi-year commitments for either driver.

This omission has created some confusion about George Russell’s renewal. Some sources suggest it is a one-year deal with an option for extension, while others claim it is a two-year contract, possibly with a renewal clause included. The exact terms remain uncertain, but Mercedes has clearly chosen continuity as it prepares for the major regulatory changes coming in 2026.

No Aston Martin in Russell’s future

There is no doubt that George Russell is a strong, fast, and consistent driver — one who makes very few mistakes and would be on the radar of several teams if he were to explore new opportunities in 2027. However, among those teams, Aston Martin would not be a contender.

The October 16th edition of Corriere dello Sport revealed an intriguing behind-the-scenes story: “Russell will never join Aston Martin, at least while the team is owned by Lawrence Stroll. Around fifteen years ago, when the boys were still karting, Russell’s father reportedly offended Lawrence Stroll in a way that was so severe it could neither be repaired nor forgotten.”

This alleged long-standing tension between the two families appears to have left a lasting mark, effectively ruling out any potential collaboration between George Russell and the Aston Martin team as long as Stroll remains in charge. It adds an unexpected personal dimension to the competitive world of Formula 1, where relationships and past grievances can sometimes influence career paths as much as raw speed and talent.