George Russell responds to Mercedes contract rumours: “Performance is the strongest currency”

Recent reports have suggested that George Russell is close to signing a two-year contract extension with Mercedes.

The Briton took on the lead driver role at the Brackley outfit in 2025 after seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari. After being joined by Italian rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Russell has taken the extra responsibility in his stride. He currently sits fourth in the drivers’ standings with 63 points, 14 points behind championship leader Lando Norris. 

Addressing the reports to Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver explained:

”Rumours are never that truthful, are they? But you know, as I just said before, there’s always so much excitement around contracts.

“And the fact is, if you don’t perform, even if you’ve got a contract, you get booted out. And if you do perform, your future sorts itself out.

“So from my side, you know, I’m just excited with my racing, pleased with how I’m performing, enjoying this season with the team. And as I said, the performances are the strongest currency. So that’s what I’m focused on, and everything sorts itself out.”

When asked for clarification on if any of the rumours are true, he added with a smile:

“A few of them are reasonably close, I guess. But, at the end of the day, we have never discussed a contract prior to May or June in a season. I’d say the more abnormal point is how many drivers have these ‘long-term’ deals.

“Everyone’s got exit clauses, they’ve all got performance clauses. If a driver is on a three-year contract, it doesn’t really mean anything if they’ve got an exit clause, or if the team has an exit clause if the driver doesn’t perform. So, as I said, it doesn’t really mean a lot. If you’ve got a contract with a team and the team wants you gone, the team finds a way to get you gone. 

“That’s how this sport works, and that’s how it should work because we’re 20 of the best in the world, and it’s ruthless. There’s no time to mess around. All you can do is focus on driving.”

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff has already hinted at the future driver line-up of the team, confirming to Motorsport.com: “I mean, it is almost an open secret that we have every intention to keep our drivers for the long term. 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.”