With only a handful of events left on the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, George Russell is still in negotiations regarding a new agreement with Mercedes. Following his impressive performance at the Singapore Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff mentioned that “positive outcomes require patience” when discussing the ongoing discussions.
Russell made the transition from Williams to Mercedes in 2022, and his arrangement with the team was subsequently prolonged to encompass the entirety of 2025. This agreement is now approaching its conclusion, and the driver, currently 27 years old, is still actively involved in conversations concerning his future engagement with the team.
While both sides have been guarded about the specifics of these deliberations, Wolff did acknowledge after the Singapore GP that they were concentrating on the “fine details” of the new contract.
“Regarding the contract, achieving favorable results requires time,” Wolff stated after Russell secured a victory from start to finish at Marina Bay on Sunday. “It’s a matter of attending to the details, rather than addressing major overarching issues.”
When questioned by Sky Germany about the state of the discussions, Wolff added, “We’ll make an announcement in due course.”
From Russell’s perspective, he clarified that “certain things must be handled appropriately” during discussions with reporters prior to the Singapore race. Discussions are still happening between the British driver and the team, with both aiming for a “mutually advantageous” outcome.
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
“I believe that, for any racer, as they progress to a certain stage in their professional journey, it’s important for matters to be handled with precision,” Russell commented. “Each time a contract is renewed, it holds paramount importance and requires careful consideration. There’s no basis for concern, and the agreement will be finalized when the time is right.”
Wolff’s commendation of Russell implies minimal cause for apprehension regarding his F1 prospects, given that the remaining available positions for the following year are with Alpine or the two teams supported by Red Bull.
“He has been exceptionally strong this year,” Wolff remarked. “I haven’t noticed any errors on his part. There have been instances where he himself admitted, ‘I could have performed better, and I didn’t have a particularly good race.’ However, this is a common experience for any driver.
“You can observe how it all comes together—the vehicle performing at its peak, and the driver being fully in control. This combination results in a winning formula, as demonstrated here.”
Russell departs Singapore holding fourth position in the F1 drivers’ championship standings, having achieved two victories and an additional six podium finishes thus far in 2025.
