Toto Wolff now giving signals around the F1 paddock that a big driver decision is imminent at Mercedes

George Russell’s Formula 1 future is set to have a huge impact on the driver market heading into next season.

Mercedes are the highest-profile F1 team yet to sign up either of their drivers for 2026.

George Russell has been in superb form this season and won his first race of the campaign at the Canadian Grand Prix.

He was joined on the podium by rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli to secure the Silver Arrows’ best points haul of the year.

However, Mercedes have yet to confirm Russell or Antonelli for next season with one even more tempting option still on the market.

Mercedes have been interested in Max Verstappen for some time despite his current contract running until 2028.

A get-out clause in Verstappen’s contract might offer team principal Toto Wolff hope that the four-time world champion hasn’t committed his future beyond this season to the Anglo-Austrian team.

However, journalists Tom Clarkson and Lawrence Barretto have noticed a change in Wolff’s body language that suggests he’s very close to making a decision on Russell’s future.

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Toto Wolff body language change suggests Mercedes extension for George Russell is ‘close’

Clarkson was asked on The F1 Nation Podcast why Russell doesn’t have a contract for 2026 yet and said: “He wants to stay at Mercedes. I think Toto Wolff is still playing the Max Verstappen card but I think he’s realising that that’s slipping away and I think we’ll see a George Russell contract soon probably.

“Particularly if he keeps banging in performances like this.”

Barretto replied: “Yeah I’m going to say a bit of body language changed a little bit with Toto a couple of weeks ago.

“There’s a little bit more of a glint in his eye, a bit of a smirk when you talk to him about George and that contract and it does feel like it’s close.

“I think to your point Tom, I do think he wanted to leave the door open as long as he possibly could in case he could get Max.

“But it does feel like that door’s almost shut, if not shut already and I think it’s now just a matter of time until we see George commit.

“I think as strong as Kimi Antonelli can be, if you’ve got George Russell operating at that level, why on earth do you not want a George Russell, Kimi Antonelli line-up?

“It doesn’t make any sense, does it? So, I feel like while he wasn’t in a rush early doors because essentially where was George going to go that’s the reality of it.

“Toto kind of had the upper hand there in terms of that so I think we will eventually see it, probably sooner rather than later.”

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What options are available to George Russell if Mercedes 2026 F1 deal falls through?

Russell is one of the most in-form drivers on the grid and if Mercedes did decide to part ways with him to make room for Verstappen, most teams would be clamouring to find a way to fit him into their driver line-up.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has held informal chats with Russell about his future in case he suddenly finds himself without Verstappen next year.

It would be a remarkable straight swap and could prove once and for all whether the car or the driver chosen to race alongside the Dutchman is the problem within the team.

Aston Martin have made enquiries about signing Russell for 2026 with question marks over whether Lance Stroll is a strong enough driver to lead their championship charge.

However, it appears as though Wolff is simply trying to keep his cards close to his chest and Russell will be a Silver Arrows driver in 2026 and beyond.