With only seven rounds left in the 2025 season, most drivers and teams have settled their contracts for next year. In almost traditional fashion, there is still some uncertainty at both Red Bull and Alpine. What is a far greater surprise, however, is the lack of clarity at Mercedes.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli still haven’t signed contract extensions, something few would have predicated when the year began. This scenario is particularly shocking for Russell, who has been one of F1’s top performers this season.
It was only 10 days ago in Baku that Russell battled severe illness to claim P2 for the Silver Arrows. Unfortunately for the British driver, there are still clear sticking points in his negotiations with Mercedes.
Russell and Mercedes reach a stalemate
When the season began, there was little reason to expect Mercedes would consider a change to their driver line-up. The team went into 2025 with a combination of experience and youth, relying on George Russell to secure consistent points as Kimi Antonelli acclimatised to Formula 1.
Understandably, Antonelli has seen difficult spells and ‘rookie errors’ across the season. With that said, the Silver Arrows still appear confident in his potential for the future.
After all, Toto Wolff wouldn’t have promoted an 18-year-old into a Mercedes F1 seat without immense confidence about their abilities.
On the opposite side of the garage, Russell has delivered his usual consistency and speed for the Brackley-based outfit. He sits 4th in the standings, having only finished outside of the points on one occasion – where an engine failure in qualifying ruined his chances.
With one victory and seven podiums, the British driver has largely maximised the W16’s potential. In a surprise turn of events, however, it became clear several months ago this would not immediately translate into a new contract.
Toto Wolff’s negotiations with Verstappen put Russell in an awkward position. The British driver was forced to watch on the sidelines as his future remained in the dark.Wolff’s interest in the Dutchman was legitimate, and talks for 2026 only concluded when it was confirmed Verstappen’s exit clause could not be activated.
On paper, the conclusion of these talks should have facilitated a straight-forward agreement between Russell and Mercedes.
This has not been the case, with contract length understood to be a point of contention between the two parties. Reports have circulated that a 1+1 year deal is on the table (which could create uncertainty when next year’s driver market kicks off).
Russell is unlikely to be interested in such a short-term deal, especially since Verstappen could again become available in twelve months. At the same time, Toto Wolff seems unwilling to cut himself off from the options that could present themselves in 2026.
Wolff dismisses Antonelli rumours
In a recent interview with Sky Italy, Toto Wolff dismissed suggestions that Kimi Antonelli will not continue at Mercedes. He described rumours about Antonelli leaving the team for a ‘loan’ spell elsewhere as “complete nonsense.”
Whilst these comments were almost certainly sincere, they do not detract from the obvious uncertainty surrounding the German outfit.
The fact a new contract agreement still hasn’t been announced speaks volumes about how negotiations have evolved. With Mercedes early favourites for 2026, there is every reason for Russell to want a new deal with the team.
At the same time, the 27-year-old will feel his track record (and the lack of alternatives for next year) give him the license to push for a contract he is truly satisfied with.
Of course, a side-effect of these protracted negotiations is that Kimi Antonelli is also kept waiting. It would, after all, be a very strange look if the Italian’s new contract was announced before that of his more experienced teammate.
Moving forward, therefore, a lot of questions need to be answered about why negotiations have failed to progress. Only time will tell how these extensive talks will conclude.
Main photo: Jiri Krenek (Mercedes media gallery)
