Button backs Russell for 2026 Mercedes seat: “I don’t think they mess around”

Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has given his thoughts on George Russell’s place in Mercedes going forward. This comes as a contract between the driver and the Brackley outfit has yet to be signed going into 2026.

Button, who drove with Brawn in 2009 to a championship victory, endorsed the driver who paired with Lewis Hamilton from 2022 until his exit. 

“I don’t think they mess around in Mercedes,” he said via Sky sports F1. “It’s always very clear to the drivers whether they want them to be there or not for the following season.

“There was always talk about Max [Verstappen] possibly going to Mercedes, but at some point, they have to just decide.”

Speculation surrounding Verstappen potentially moving to Mercedes has been rife since last season after the reported internal disputes within the Red Bull team. On top of this, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff hasn’t hidden away from the idea of taking on the four-time champion. As Verstappen confirmed, there were “very constructive conversations” held between the two in 2024.

But with the Dutchman’s future in Milton Keynes looking more and more stable recently, Wolff has all but confirmed Russell’s place in his team.

“It is almost an open secret that we have every intention to keep our drivers for the long term,” he said at the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. “We are not disclosing every discussion that we have with the drivers and that is why this is going in the direction that it should go.

“But there is more to any contract than just giving a driver the fixed guarantee that he is going to be in the car. There are terms to it that you need to discuss for the best interest of the team and the driver, so it is a structured process.”

Button agrees that the Briton should retain his place in the team.

“He should be given the opportunity going into the new era of the sport to fight for race wins,” he argued. 

With F1 bringing in a new set of technical regulations in 2026, Mercedes is keen to focus on a stable team with proven talent. Russell has certainly proven himself after out-driving Hamilton numerous times since joining alongside him, and continues to perform well so far this season.

Photos from Monaco GP – Practice & Qualifying