George Russell reveals that his new Mercedes contract includes a significant performance clause. The British driver spent months this season negotiating with the Silver Arrows for a contract extension with the German racing team, and hopes to avoid the same fate in 2026 through the clause. If Russell performs well next season, the contract will be ‘automatically extended for 2027’, the driver himself explains.
After months of speculation about George Russell’s future at Mercedes, the Silver Arrows made a decision in early October. The Brit, along with teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, will also be a driver for the German team in 2026. The confirmation from Mercedes came after Max Verstappen was linked to the Silver Arrows earlier in the year. However, the German racing team did not announce how long both their drivers are still under contract, but according to Russell, his contract includes a clause for the 2027 season.
Performance Clause
“I haven’t said this publicly before, but the deal is that if I perform well next year and can achieve a certain goal, there’s a special clause that automatically extends my contract for 2027,” the Brit tells The Telegraph. “Whether I have a seat in 2027 is entirely up to me. I’m not being strung along.”
Russell hopes this will reduce his uncertainty in 2026. “We won’t be in the same position as six months ago,” continues the British driver. “If I perform, and I don’t want to go into details, but if I perform, I will definitely stay with Mercedes.”
The Brit has been driving for the Silver Arrows since 2022, and reveals that he wanted to sign his new contract as early as October of the previous year. However, the delay has not been detrimental to Russell. According to the driver, he has been able to negotiate ‘much better’ terms. “Everything worked out in the end,” says Russell. “The contract I have now is significantly better than what I would have gotten if I had signed it (in October 2024). So sometimes I think you just have to trust in your own abilities. I feel like I’m only getting stronger.”
