George Russell says he feels no strain to get a brand new contract agreed at Mercedes, as he estimates it is going to be “a lot of weeks earlier than something actually occurs.”
Mercedes has but to substantiate Russell and Kimi Antonelli will stay of their seats for 2026, though each are broadly anticipated to take action. There was uncertainty throughout exploratory talks with Max Verstappen earlier this 12 months, and regardless of that being lowered after the Dutchman dedicated to staying with Crimson Bull, Russell says an settlement has nonetheless not been totally reached.
“Naturally, we needed to take the summer time off to loosen up and reset, but it surely’s positively shifting in the appropriate course,” Russell mentioned. “However I feel as there is no such thing as a time strain from the workforce’s facet and no time strain from our facet, we’re type of simply making certain it is performed correctly.
“In fact, you’re juggling priorities. It isn’t just like the world stops to kind a contract. We have got to fret about race weekends, we’re specializing in future growth, already waiting for subsequent 12 months, sponsorship days… So issues typically do take longer than you’ll anticipate, however as I mentioned, positively entering into the appropriate course.
“Positively the summer time break was an excellent time for me to consider my complete scenario, what I would like for my future, not simply on observe however every little thing that occurs off observe – there’s much more to our function than simply driving the automobiles on a Sunday afternoon. These conversations have actually been picked up this week, not likely by way of the break, as a result of that was extra my determination.
“I needed to take the break day. Toto [Wolff, team principal] and the workforce had been very keen to work by way of the summer time break to return to a decision, however I needed simply to take that point as a result of these two weeks are fairly treasured for all of us. And it is, as I mentioned, shifting in a optimistic course.
“So I feel we’re getting nearer to being on the identical web page with just a few issues and hopefully within the coming… realistically, we’re speaking perhaps a lot of weeks earlier than something actually occurs. However there is not any main rush and I do not wish to actually put a timeline on it. When it would occur, it would occur. If that is subsequent week, a month, two months, three months, it is going to be what it is going to be.”
Russell says there will not be main gadgets which might be nonetheless up for negotiation, with the size of deal not one of many obstacles nonetheless to be overcome.
“No, under no circumstances, to be trustworthy. I feel there’s execs and cons to having short-term, long-term,” he mentioned. “I feel for me this season has proved greater than ever, finally it at all times comes all the way down to efficiency. The quantity that’s said within the contract is finally only a quantity. However clearly I am enthusiastic about what I would like.
“The reality is I wish to win with Mercedes, I wish to win a world championship and that’s my primary objective. I hope that to be right here with the workforce, however in fact I am 28 subsequent 12 months – I am nonetheless feeling fairly younger, however sooner or later I would like to ensure every little thing is correct and we’re all on course. So, as I mentioned, I hope that may be right here with Mercedes.”
