The 2025 Method 1 season is in full swing, however as is ever the case in motorsport the motive force switch marketplace for the upcoming marketing campaign is heating up. A number of drivers are with no contract for the 2026 marketing campaign, when Cadillac is ready to hitch the grid because the eleventh F1 group, and rumors are gaining momentum because the temperatures rise.
A kind of drivers with no contract? None apart from F1’s newest race winner, George Russell.
Each Russell and his Mercedes teammate, rookie Kimi Antonelli, are below contract via the 2025 season. Nonetheless, to listen to Russell clarify the scenario after his win on the Canadian Grand Prix, he’s “loyal to Mercedes” and isn’t “involved” about his contract standing for subsequent season.
“[A]s I’ve stated many occasions, I’m not involved in any respect about subsequent 12 months,” stated Russell when requested about his contract standing following his win in Montreal. “I do know I’m going to be on the grid subsequent 12 months. I really feel that I’m driving higher than ever. I nonetheless really feel I’ve bought extra within the tank.
“I really feel able to combat for a world championship, and I believe outcomes like in the present day, outcomes like Bahrain this 12 months once we bought half an opportunity of a great consequence, we’re there to take it. And I’m fairly relaxed. Simply having fun with the second, having fun with my racing, and simply taking it week by week.”
Rumors have endured a few spot at Mercedes for Max Verstappen, ever since Lewis Hamilton introduced his intention to go away the group for Ferrari this season. In response to current reporting from Autosport Verstappen, who sits third within the F1 Drivers’ Championship standings, has a clause in his contract that permits him to go away the group if he isn’t within the high 4 by the tip of June.
Russell indicated in Montreal that any group can be sensible to be considering Verstappen.
“There haven’t been any laborious emotions with any of the talks which were going round, particularly round Max,” stated Russell. “As a result of, like I stated on quite a few occasions, why wouldn’t groups be considering Max? If each driver had no contracts for subsequent 12 months, Max can be primary for each single group.”
There have additionally been rumors that Russell has been approached for a possible transfer of his personal, maybe to Aston Martin. Nonetheless, the Mercedes driver brushed apart these stories, making it clear his intention is to remain proper the place he’s.
“No. I’m not speaking with anyone else and any groups who’ve proven curiosity, I’ve been fairly open to say my intentions are to stick with Mercedes, added Russell. “That’s at all times been clear. And I’m loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this opportunity to get into Method 1.”
In the long run, Russell believes that with himself and Antonelli, Mercedes has a great factor going. He at the moment sits fourth within the Drivers’ Championship standings, with 4 podiums along with his win on the Canadian Grand Prix. Antonelli secured his first podium in Montreal, changing into the third-youngest podium finisher within the sport’s historical past, behind Lance Stroll and Verstappen himself.
“However in the end, there are two seats for each race group. I knew if I proceed to carry out as I’m doing, my place wouldn’t be below risk by any means. So, I really feel in a great place,” added Russell.
“We’re in no rush to do contract negotiations. We wish to win collectively. Particularly Kimi and I being team-mates now – we’re getting a consequence like in the present day, each junior drivers from Mercedes, we’re each doing the job by way of efficiency,” continued Russell.
“Why would you wish to change one thing that’s working?”
