Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff says George Russell holds good playing cards as talks progress over a contract extension.
Russell is out of contract on the finish of the season and has confronted a stage of uncertainty resulting from Mercedes’ curiosity in Max Verstappen this yr, admitting forward of the Hungarian Grand Prix that the previous six months had “not been probably the most assuring.” With Verstappen subsequently committing to Crimson Bull for 2026, talks over a brand new deal for Russell are understood to be progressing in a constructive course, and Wolff says the 27-year-old’s performances put him in a robust place.
“George has at all times had good playing cards as a result of he delivered since 2018,” Wolff stated. “There wasn’t a season he wasn’t there and nothing modified that in our considering for subsequent yr. Simply since you do not discuss outdoors doesn’t suggest that issues are progressing in a means they shouldn’t internally.
“In terms of contract, let’s examine. We’ll come out and say what sort of time period now we have put ahead, however positively his standing within the group is powerful. He has proven it [in Hungary] once more and there is no purpose [not] to plan with George in the long run.”
With teammate Kimi Antonelli additionally but to have his future confirmed, Wolff stopped in need of placing a timeline on any bulletins.
“Effectively, if it was fascinating information, I should not be responding to your query! I do not know,” he stated. “We’ll select second, like some type of funky grand prix the place there’s numerous followers and we’ll come out with that.”
Antonelli scored his first level of the European season in Hungary after ending tenth, and Wolff says reverting to an older suspension answer helps the rookie’s confidence.
“The automobile typically is giving extra suggestions to him,” he stated. “He stated that the weekend was a metamorphosis from the primary session. Qualifying went mistaken, however that occurs to a younger driver.
“Hanging him on the market for tire survival [in the race] was one other a part of the event that he must undergo. He scored some extent, he defended towards [Isack] Hadjar behind and I am glad with that. Hopefully we’ll get sturdy within the second half of the yr. So, he’s on track.”
