BREAKING:Martin Brundle Raises Concerns Over George Russell’s… read more
Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle has expressed surprise and concern over the lack of a contract extension for George Russell with the Mercedes Formula 1 team, despite the British driver performing at a very high level during the 2025 season. Russell, who has been part of the Mercedes setup since 2017, first joined the team as a junior driver before making his F1 debut with Williams in 2019. In 2022, he was promoted to the main Mercedes team and has since claimed three Grand Prix victories.
Now taking on a leading role at the team following Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari, Russell is seen as a key figure for Mercedes. Despite his strong performances and increased responsibility within the team, there is still no official confirmation of a contract extension for 2026 and beyond. This situation has puzzled Brundle, who finds it “strange” that such a valuable asset has not been secured for the future.
In an interview with Sky F1, Brundle pointed out that Russell is currently in excellent form and deserves a new contract based on merit alone. He emphasized that Mercedes not only employs Russell but also manages his career, which adds another layer to the situation. Brundle said, “He’s driving beautifully and he hasn’t got a contract for next year that we know about at the moment. It feels strange, although when I speak to Mercedes about that, they remind me not only are they his current employers, they’re his management team as well.”
Adding to the speculation around Russell’s future is the swirling rumor that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen could be eyeing a move to Mercedes. This has sparked discussions in the paddock about how Mercedes might reshape its driver lineup, although nothing has been confirmed.
Despite the contractual uncertainty, Russell has been one of the standout performers so far in the 2025 season. He has secured four podium finishes in the first six races, placing him fourth in the drivers’ championship standings. Brundle believes that if Mercedes can improve their car performance slightly—perhaps by just a tenth or two per lap—Russell could be in a position to challenge the frontrunners, including McLaren’s resurgent duo.
“George is driving beautifully, and grabbing everything that’s available,” Brundle noted. “If they can find a tenth or two and close the gap to McLaren, he’ll be right there.”
In summary, while George Russell continues to impress on track and play a leading role at Mercedes, the delay in confirming a new deal has raised eyebrows among experts like Brundle. With strong results and leadership qualities, many believe it is only a matter of time before Mercedes secures his services for the future.
