According to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, it’s only a matter of time before George Russell is offered a contract extension. Amid ongoing rumors that Max Verstappen is considering a move to Mercedes, there were some question marks over the British driver’s future with the team. However, Wolff explains that Mercedes is keen to retain the ‘top driver’ for the long term.
Max Verstappen has previously been linked to a potential move to Mercedes, and with the ongoing turmoil within Red Bull, the rumors continue to circulate. The German racing team has only secured current drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli until the end of 2025. However, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff assures Russell and Antonelli that their future with the team is secure.
“It’s almost a public secret that we want to keep both our drivers for the long term,” Wolff tells Motorsport.com. The Austrian knows that with a contract extension for Russell, the rumors about Verstappen will also disappear. “But a contract is more than just giving a driver the guarantee that he will be in the car. There are also some conditions that you need to discuss.”
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So, it seems to be only a matter of time before Russell gets the final word from Wolff and Mercedes. According to the Austrian, this is nothing more than logical, as the Brit is a ‘top driver’. Wolff even uses Russell’s performances as a benchmark for rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
“We are fortunate to have (Russell) in our team. We also dared to bring Kimi on board because of George,” explains Wolff. “We have George as a benchmark. The car doesn’t go much faster than (in the hands of) George, and that’s the benchmark for Kimi.”
