The 2025 Method 1 season is in full swing, however as is ever the case in motorsport the driving force switch marketplace for the upcoming marketing campaign is heating up. A number of drivers are and not using a contract for the 2026 marketing campaign, when Cadillac is about to affix the grid because the eleventh F1 staff, and rumors are gaining momentum because the temperatures rise.
A kind of drivers and not using a contract? None apart from F1’s newest race winner, George Russell.
Each Russell and his Mercedes teammate, rookie Kimi Antonelli, are underneath contract by 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 yr,” 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 yr. I really feel that I’m driving higher than ever. I nonetheless really feel I’ve obtained extra within the tank.
“I really feel able to struggle for a world championship, and I feel outcomes like in the present day, outcomes like Bahrain this yr after we obtained half an opportunity of a very good outcome, 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 persevered a couple of spot at Mercedes for Max Verstappen, ever since Lewis Hamilton introduced his intention to go away the staff for Ferrari this season. In keeping with current reporting from Autosport Verstappen, who sits third within the F1 Drivers’ Championship standings, has a clause in his contract that enables him to go away the staff if he’s not within the high 4 by the top of June.
Russell indicated in Montreal that any staff can be good to be fascinated by Verstappen.
“There haven’t been any arduous emotions with any of the talks which have been going round, particularly round Max,” stated Russell. “As a result of, like I stated on quite a few occasions, why wouldn’t groups be fascinated by Max? If each driver had no contracts for subsequent yr, Max can be primary for each single staff.”
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 experiences, 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 all the time been clear. And I’m loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this opportunity to get into Method 1.”
Ultimately, Russell believes that with himself and Antonelli, Mercedes has a very good factor going. He presently 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, turning 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 staff. I knew if I proceed to carry out as I’m doing, my place wouldn’t be underneath risk by any means. So, I really feel in a very good 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 outcome like in the present day, each junior drivers from Mercedes, we’re each doing the job when it comes to efficiency,” continued Russell.
“Why would you wish to change one thing that’s working?”
