George Russell's contract uncertainty sparks doubts despite a great beginning to 2025 Formula 1 season

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 17, 2025, 17:15 IST

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George Russell, a top performer in the 2025 Formula 1 season, has not been mentioned in Mercedes' contract list for the foreseeable future. Despite his commanding performances and dominance over teammate Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes has not confirmed a contract extension. Russell's performance has not faltered, and his future at Mercedes remains uncertain. If a deal isn't signed by July, Russell's future could be in doubt.

George Russell's contract uncertainty sparks doubts despite a great beginning to 2025 Formula 1 season

George Russell (via Getty Images)

George Russell has been one of the great performers of the 2025 Formula 1 season to date, but his long-term future at Mercedes is shrouded in doubt. With three podium finishes in the first four races and continually elite-level performances, the 27-year-old has justified his place—yet his name is not mentioned among Mercedes' list of drivers contracted for the foreseeable future beyond this season.

Mercedes' silence over George Russell's contract extension sparks rumours

George Russell's present deal with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team is due to run out after the 2025 season. Despite his commanding performances and early dominance over teammate Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes has not yet given—or at least confirmed—a contract extension. The delay is only more baffling in light of Toto Wolff's public commendation of Russell, recently labelling him "one of the top two or three drivers" on the grid.

George Russell's performance hasn't faltered. He's only 14 points behind the championship leader, Lando Norris and six behind Max Verstappen, well ahead of the rookie Kimi Antonelli. In 2024, he not only outqualified Lewis Hamilton throughout the season but also edged past the seven-time world champion by 22 points in the overall standings, apart from losing a win in Belgium due to a disputed disqualification.

McLaren and Ferrari show how Mercedes may be falling behind on contract strategy

Other leading sides have done just the opposite. McLaren tied Lando Norris through 2027 and Oscar Piastri up to 2028. Ferrari signed Charles Leclerc on a multi-year contract extension as early as January of 2024, despite also letting Carlos Sainz go, and he went on to sign with Williams.
Contrarily, Mercedes' hesitation could have a backlash effect if George Russell is undervalued or negotiations stall deep into the season. Sky Sports last week suggested a new deal might be near, but sources say no announcement is likely.
Also read: George Russell pulls out revenge on Lando Norris by sharing picture from his dressing room
Both George Russell and Toto Wolff have downplayed the delay in public, with Russell claiming there's “no rush, no concern, no pressure”. But with the British Grand Prix looming in July, most insiders think that if a deal is not signed by then, the situation will spiral into serious doubt over his Mercedes future. Russell remains one of the grid's most valuable assets—and if Mercedes isn't going to commit, somebody else might.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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