Nico Rosberg has expressed sympathy for George Russell, who is still awaiting a contract extension from his current employer, Mercedes. According to Rosberg, a veteran of the sport, negotiating with team boss Toto Wolff is ‘terrible’. However, he reveals that Russell is giving Wolff a taste of his own medicine. ‘He’s fighting Toto with his own weapons,’ the former Formula 1 driver discloses.
George Russell is still waiting for a contract extension with his current team, Mercedes. After Max Verstappen confirmed before the summer break that he would be staying with Red Bull, it seemed the path was clear for a new contract for the British driver with the Silver Arrows. However, the Italian Grand Prix has already taken place, and Russell still officially has no clarity about his future in Formula 1 after 2025.
Contract Renewal: A Formality According to Team Boss
Team boss Toto Wolff views the contract renewal as a mere formality. “I don’t think it will be a big announcement,” the Austrian previously stated. “I will just inform you (the media) when a signature is on the agreement.”
Former Mercedes Driver Shares Experience
Nico Rosberg, a former Mercedes driver and thus experienced in negotiating with Wolff, sympathizes with Russell. “It’s terrible to negotiate with Toto,” the German shared on the Sky F1 Show. “He just disappears as soon as you try to negotiate better terms. I suffered a lot from this myself.”
Disagreement Over Terms
The 2016 world champion observes Russell’s different approach. “He is fighting Toto with his own weapons,” Rosberg continues. “Reportedly, George is not satisfied with a few terms in the contract. And these terms are as they are because he is a Mercedes junior. Therefore, he will certainly not receive the same salary as Lando Norris, far from it. And George believes that Lando is his equal.”
