Toto Wolff has teased {that a} contract announcement for George Russell might occur inside the subsequent month, revealing it’s “50-50”.
Russell is about to stay at Mercedes past this season after Max Verstappen confirmed his intention to remain at Purple Bull.
Over the past 12 months, Verstappen was closely linked with a change to Mercedes.
Russell was the primary to formally affirm that talks had been happening between Mercedes and the Verstappen camp.
Nevertheless, Verstappen lastly dominated out a sensational transfer on Thursday forward of the Hungarian GP.
Russell will possible keep alongside Kimi Antonelli for 2026, however no deal has but been agreed.
Russell is prone to desire a longer-term contract, whereas Mercedes may wish to hold their choices open for 2027, significantly if Verstappen is available on the market once more.
Talking after the race on the Hungaroring, the place Crash.internet had been within the paddock, Wolff stated that there was “no purpose to plan with out George long-term”.
“Properly, George has all the time had good playing cards, as a result of he has delivered since 2018,” Wolff stated.
“There wasn’t a season he wasn’t there, and nothing modified that in our pondering for subsequent 12 months.
“So, simply since you don’t speak exterior doesn’t imply that issues are progressing in your relationship internally, and relating to contract, let’s see.
“We’ll come out and say what sort of time period we’ve put ahead, however positively, his standing within the workforce is robust. He has proven it at this time once more and there’s no purpose to plan with out George long-term.”
When requested about when Mercedes might announce Russell’s new deal, he replied: “We’ll select an excellent second. Possibly a cool grand prix with plenty of followers and are available out with that.”
He then responded “50-50” if it could possibly be inside the subsequent 4 weeks – which is successfully earlier than the Dutch Grand Prix.
Russell, Leclerc
Mercedes return to kind in Hungary
Mercedes had been again within the combine on the Hungarian GP, as Russell completed on the rostrum.
It was solely Russell’s second podium look within the final eight races.
Mercedes reverted to an older suspension improve, which instantly improved
Russell and Antonelli’s feeling behind the wheel of the W16.
Russell overtook Leclerc within the closing stint of the race, because the Ferrari driver had a difficulty along with his chassis.
Antonelli recovered to complete tenth after one other poor qualifying show.
