Nico Rosberg is confident that George Russell will soon finalize a new contract with Mercedes, despite Toto Wolff’s challenging negotiation tactics. Speculation has surrounded Russell’s future with the Brackley team, as his current agreement, signed in the summer of 2023, is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2025 F1 season.
With only a few months left, Russell is yet to secure a new contract. The British driver had hinted that discussions with Max Verstappen were delaying his deal with Mercedes, with Wolff reportedly attempting to entice the four-time world champion away from Red Bull.
However, Russell’s prospects improved after Verstappen decided to remain with Red Bull until the end of 2026 following Christian Horner’s departure as team principal. Wolff hinted at finalizing a new deal for Russell before the summer break, following the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Recent reports suggest that Russell is on the verge of signing a multi-year contract with Mercedes, potentially extending until the end of the 2027 season, partnering with young talent Kimi Antonelli. Former Mercedes driver Rosberg, now a Sky Sports F1 pundit, shares the belief that Russell will secure the deal.
Rosberg highlighted the challenges of negotiating with Wolff, describing the process as uncomfortable and citing Wolff’s evasive tactics to strengthen his position. Despite public statements committing to Russell and Antonelli for 2026, a multi-year contract for Russell keeps the possibility of pairing him with Verstappen alive in the future, despite their past conflicts.
Mercedes is now satisfied with Russell as their primary driver, acknowledging his consistent performance this season, including a victory at the Canadian Grand Prix and outscoring Antonelli by a significant margin. Wolff praised Russell’s maturity and stability as a driver, downplaying the contract delay’s impact on his performance.
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