George Russell’s 2026 contract negotiations take a dark turn as Mercedes introduce a clause that appears designed to undermine their own driver’s leverage — raising fears that the team is clearing a path for a new number one: Max Verstappen.
George Russell produced one of his best qualifying laps of the season for Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
Mercedes will know that George Russell presents their best chance of winning the British Grand Prix, as he starts the race from fourth.
Heading into qualifying, it looked like the best position the 27-year-old could hope for was fifth, given the exceptional pace both McLarens and Ferraris were showing in practice.
However, Russell defeated Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton and will line up alongside Lando Norris on an all-British second row.
Russell’s Mercedes contract has dominated discussions behind the scenes in Formula 1 over the past few weeks.
Mercedes know there’s a risk to signing Max Verstappen should he become available this year.
However, he’s also a four-time drivers’ championship winner and impossible to turn down should he walk away from Red Bull.
This has led to suggestions that Mercedes are trying to ‘devalue’ Russell by making one critical demand during negotiations.
Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mercedes trying to ‘devalue’ George Russell by demanding he ask for less money in contract negotiations
Journalist Julianne Cerasoli was speaking on the Pit Pass F1 Podcast ahead of the British Grand Prix.
Discussing Russell’s potential new deal, Cerasoli said: “I think with George Russell, I think everybody wants George Russell to ask for less money.
“For Toto Wolff and Mercedes, with the negotiations, the British journalists were saying that they expect George Russell to receive a new proposal from Mercedes next week or anytime between this Grand Prix and the next one in Belgium, there is a little bit of a gap there.
“I think negotiations will go back to George’s side, at least for next year’s contract, in the next few days.
“But everybody seems to be trying to devalue George Russell, who has been having a very good season at the moment.”
Team principal Toto Wolff is in the position of power right now, with Russell having very few options outside of Mercedes if he has to move on should Verstappen join the Silver Arrows next year.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is ready to make an offer for Russell should Verstappen leave, but that scenario seems to be a long way off at this stage.
Max Verstappen comments on George Russell relationship amid Mercedes interest
It’s been suggested that Verstappen would be teammates with Andrea Kimi Antonelli if he does end up joining Mercedes next season.
The Italian teenager has had a solid start to his maiden F1 campaign, but has been inferior to Russell this year.
The four-time race winner has more than doubled Antonelli’s points tally at this stage of the campaign and is within touching distance of Verstappen.
Verstappen has commented on his relationship with Russell, but it’s yet to be seen whether Wolff believes they could work as teammates.
Wolff has had to deal with explosive teammates in the past when Lewis Hamilton and George Russell went head-to-head, but Russell and Verstappen could be an even more competitive pairing.
