George Russell has put an end to the biggest rumor swirling around Mercedes ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. The British driver, who has been with Mercedes since 2022 and has quickly become one of the top contenders in Formula 1, confirmed that he will stick with the team through the 2026 season. Russell expressed “100 per cent” certainty about his future, leaving no room for speculation about Max Verstappen potentially taking his place. This news comes on the heels of reports from an Italian source stating that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had confirmed the team would keep both Russell and Kimi Antonelli, having signed them to 1+1 contracts for 2026, although a formal announcement isn’t expected during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Russell insisted about himself staying in Mercedes till 2027, as he said, “No announcement this weekend, but I’ll be racing here next year. One hundred per cent. It hasn’t even been discussed (with Toto Wolff). We don’t need to discuss it. It’s not even a question mark. I don’t want to go into any more detail, but I will be here next year and that’s the fact of it.”
Russell’s comments also shift the narrative regarding Max Verstappen’s future. Mercedes has often been seen as the top alternative if the Dutch driver ever decides to leave Red Bull. However, with Russell clarifying his position and Antonelli being part of Mercedes’ long-term strategy, that option seems off the table. Meanwhile, Verstappen has chosen not to engage in transfer speculation. He emphasized that Red Bull’s main focus is on enhancing their current car, stating that the team’s priority is to improve performance rather than discuss his future.
Mercedes Team Principal turns attention to Austrian GP challenge
Mercedes is now fully focused on the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix. Team principal Toto Wolff shared that they’re rolling out some exciting upgrades designed to boost both speed and reliability on the tight Spielberg circuit, where every little detail counts. Wolff mentioned on MercedesAMGF1.com, “We’re not just sitting back; we’re bringing a few updates to Austria this weekend aimed at enhancing our performance and reliability. The competition is fierce, and it’s going to be even more intense at Spielberg with the lap being so short.”
He emphasized the need for a smoother weekend compared to their recent outings but remains optimistic that if everything aligns, the team can contend for the win.
Meanwhile, off the track, there’s been a significant shake-up in Formula 1’s governance. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who took over from Jean Todt in 2021 and is set for a second term until the end of 2025, received overwhelming support from FIA members during the General Assembly in Macau. A proposal to eliminate presidential term limits was passed with a whopping 90.71 percent approval. This change allows future FIA presidents to pursue an unlimited number of four-year terms, replacing the old cap of three terms or 12 years. This vote represents a major shift in the FIA’s leadership dynamics as Mercedes gears up for another pivotal race weekend in Austria.
