George Russell is confident he will be in the best position in Formula 1 to challenge for the 2026 world title after finally signing a new Mercedes contract.
Mercedes officially confirmed on Wednesday that Russell and Kimi Antonelli will remain the driver pairing for next season.
The news has been expected since reported target Max Verstappen confirmed last July that he would remain at Red Bull until 2026, but negotiations over the final details of Russell’s new deal have continued into the final two months of this season.
“As I think about next year, there were a lot of things I wanted to do to be able to play my best off the track as well,” Russell said Thursday in Austin, speaking about the deal for the first time.
“And the truth is, if all the seats were available and I could choose one to race in 2026, I would choose the Mercedes.
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Singapore Grand Prix highlights at Marina Bay Street Circuit
“With everything I know now, I really think that is the place that will give me the best chance to win the World Championships next year.
“We may be proven wrong, but based on everything we know now, I’m really pleased with the deal we’ve struck, have confidence in the team and look forward to continuing our progress going forward.”
F1’s chassis and engine regulations are being dramatically overhauled for next season. Mercedes took the field in 2014 when F1 launched a new power unit that ushered in an era of unprecedented title-winning success, and is widely talked about as a strong frontrunner for 2026.
Russell said the contract term details were ‘inadequate’.
Given Toto Wolff’s long-standing interest in Verstappen, the biggest intrigue after Russell’s new contract was announced will always be around the contract period.
The team’s official announcement only stated that Russell and Antonelli were confirmed for 2026, and the lack of wider details immediately led to the suggestion that the drivers’ contract status leaves the door open for Verstappen from 2027.
sky sports It is understood Russell’s deal is indeed a multi-year deal, the Englishman confirmed this in an interview on Thursday. However, exact details of the contract period beyond 2026 are unknown.
Still, Russell said ultimately the length of the deal isn’t the most important thing.
“If you look at Formula 1 as a whole, they say a driver has a contract for
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Russell took pole at the Singapore GP despite hitting the wall.
“It’s almost like irrelevant information, because if things are going well, then everything continues, and if not, that’s usually where the discussion happens.
“I am loyal to Mercedes and they have shown loyalty to me. And I believe that by 2026, Mercedes has the best chance of winning the world championship without a doubt.”
Speaking to the media, Russell added: “It’s always about performance. For any driver, at least for myself, what allows me to sleep at night is knowing that my performance is good and that’s what will keep you in the sport.”
“Our intention and goal is to continue with Mercedes indefinitely and we are here to focus on winning in 2026.”
Russell: Wolff made ‘very generous’ contract offer
Russell will enter his fifth season as a Mercedes race driver in 2026, and the 27-year-old’s stock has certainly never been higher.
He is enjoying an impressive 2025 campaign in which he recorded two Grand Prix wins. The most recent of these was a win in Singapore two weeks ago, where he toppled highly-rated youngster Antonelli head-on.
The Englishman believes his form has been reflected in the terms team boss Toto Wolff has offered him in a new contract.
“I think it’s more important not what you believe, but what you deliver,” he said.
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George Russell said he was very pleased with his win at the Singapore GP and his aim was now to secure second place in the construction category for Mercedes.
“Everyone believes they are worth more than they are in reality, but I think it always comes down to what you deliver on the track, your consistency, your performance and how you work with your team.
“And Toto clearly recognized this and considering the situation within the team he could have been much more stringent in his suggestions, but he was very generous.
“So I’m very happy because he recognized that in order to win, people have to feel happy and valued and give everything back.
“And that’s exactly what he did, and that’s why I’m here with a smile on my face.”
Live US GP schedule on Sky Sports F1
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Take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments from the United States Grand Prix.
Friday, October 17th
6:00 PM: US GP Practice 1 (practice starts at 6:30 PM)*
8:30 PM: Team leader press conference
10:00 PM: US GP Sprint Qualifying (Qualifying starts at 10:30 PM*)
Saturday, October 18th
5pm: Building the US GP sprint
6pm: US GP Sprint
7 p.m.: Ted’s sprint notes
9pm: Preparing for US GP Qualifying*
10pm: US GP Qualifying*
12:00 AM (Sunday Morning): Ted’s Qualifying Laptop*
Sunday, October 19th
6:30 p.m.: Grand Prix Sunday: U.S. GP strengthened*
8 p.m.: United States Grand Prix*
10 PM: Checkered Flag: US GP Reaction
11 PM: Ted’s Notes
*It will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 in North America for this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No Commitment, Cancel Anytime
