F1 Insider Says Mercedes Must Extend Russell's Contract to Win Championship
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Former Haas Formula One team principal Guenther Steiner has asked Mercedes to extend George Russell's contract if it wants to win a championship in the future. Steiner believes Russell is the perfect driver for Mercedes to lead the team and help secure its next title.
Russell's Mercedes contract expires at the end of 2025, and an extension has yet to arrive. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed his interest in Max Verstappen in June, but given the four-time world champion's loyalty to Red Bull, a move to Mercedes for the 2026 campaign has been ruled out.
Wolff then revealed that Mercedes would head in the direction of finalizing Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as its driver lineup for the 2026 season. However, the contract is yet to be signed, despite just 10 rounds remaining in the 2025 season.
Russell has pledged his loyalty to Mercedes and admitted that the delay in his contract extension did make him tense. Overcoming a period of stress, the Briton eventually chose to focus on his performance, believing that an extension would arrive if he gave his best.
Third placed George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 03, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.
Third placed George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 03, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.Being a lead driver for Mercedes, Russell is placed fourth in the Drivers' Standings with 172 points, 15 points adrift of Verstappen in third. Russell secured his maiden 2025 victory in Canada and has finished six times on the podium.
Given Russell's strong performances, Steiner believes he deserves a multi-year contract extension with Mercedes. Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, he said:
"He deserves that. He's doing a good job, he's leading the team, he knows everything, he knows what Ferrari did [in Hungary], he knows what the engineer should be doing.
"I think he should have a contract for life, in my opinion, and they cannot get out of it. No, without joking, I think he should get an extension. He's doing a good job."
Steiner also suggested that Russell is the driver who could help Mercedes win another championship, something that Kimi Antonelli won't be able to do on his own. He added:
"And if they want to win a world championship at the moment, they need George there, because Kimi is not delivering as they anticipated. I think obviously Kimi's in the first year, I can see that.
"But in the moment, if they want to win a world championship with Kimi and even Max Verstappen, you're not going to win it. You need two good drivers, and George is a good driver, doing a good job."
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