George Russell returns to the Bahrain Grand Prix five years on from his Formula 1 debut for Mercedes in 2020.
The Brit is now Mercedes’ lead driver in the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s departure and is a dark horse candidate for the drivers’ championship.
Russell had to be patient before being promoted to the German manufacturer, spending three years at the back of the grid with Williams before replacing Valtteri Bottas.
Before his first full-time season, he was able to step into the car at an alternative Formula 1 race, exclusive to the 2020 season – following the Bahrain Grand Prix, a shorter circuit helped to form the ‘Sakhir Grand Prix’, which he would race in, replacing an ill Hamilton.
Mercedes are hesitant to say nice things about Russell with his contract set to expire at the end of this season. They may not have too much faith in him long-term.
On the positive end of the spectrum, Russell has been ‘surprised’ by a positive Mercedes change over the winter which has helped them to be in stronger contention for podiums in 2025.
READ MORE: How George Russell proved he’s ‘relishing’ Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes departure during the Chinese Grand Prix
George Russell tried to send Mercedes ‘powerful message’ with Valtteri Bottas overtake in 2020
Toto Wolff is frustrated with Russell comments and believes that his driver deserves more fanfare for his performances.
He’s consistent and quietly charges through each race. Most teams would love to have a driver of his calibre. During his Mercedes debut, he felt he had to prove a point.
Russell made a terrific overtake on temporary teammate Bottas on lap 70, and he had planned it to absolute perfection in his head. He wanted to send a message to Wolff.
“For me, this was quite a decisive point in my career because obviously Valtteri was the driver who I was trying to replace at Mercedes,” he said during Sky Sports F1’s Bahrain Grand Prix broadcast.
“I knew that if I could get ahead of him, and show what I could do that was quite a powerful message.”
Why Mercedes are hesitant to sign George Russell to a new F1 contract
Mercedes are in the rare position of having no drivers contracted for the start of the 2026 F1 regulations, affording them some strong flexibility.
Kimi Antonelli has impressed so far and is their 18-year-old hotshot, it’s unlikely that they would abandon him so soon after investing so many resources in him.
Wolff knows Max Verstappen’s exit clauses and it may be what is holding Russell’s negotiations up. If Mercedes could sign the reigning champion, they may jump at the opportunity.
It would leave Russell without a seat and with limited options. A move to Red Bull could be on the cards, but he may opt to wait for an opening at somewhere like Aston Martin.
It may be time for the 27-year-old to send his bosses another powerful message if he wants to remain at the team who he has been connected with for eight years.
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