George Russell, this week, confirmed that he has extended his contract with Mercedes to remain with the Formula 1 team for the 2026 season and beyond.
The Brackley-based squad confirmed that both Russell and young teammate Kimi Antonelli will continue their partnership into the next season, providing stability ahead of a major regulatory shift in car design scheduled for next year.
27-year-old Russell, who has been with Mercedes since 2022 following years in their young driver program, previously faced uncertainty about his future as talks lingered over a possible move by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to Mercedes for 2026.
However, Russell’s contract conclusion for this year was replaced by a long-term agreement after careful negotiation between the driver and the team.
A defining feature of Russell’s new deal is a unique performance-based clause that effectively puts his seat at Mercedes into his own control.
Should Russell meet certain undisclosed performance targets during the 2026 campaign, his contract will automatically renew for the 2027 season without the need for further negotiations.
This arrangement offers Russell both security and motivation, linking his continuation with measurable results on the track.
He explained the terms of the contract in an interview with The Telegraph, being careful not to divulge confidential information: “It is something I haven’t actually said publicly, but the deal is, if I’m performing [next year], we have a specific clause that if I reach [a target], we will automatically renew for 2027. So my seat for 2027 is in my hands.
“So I’m not being strung along here. We’re not going to be in the same position as we were six months ago. If I perform, and I don’t want to go into details, but if I perform, then 100% I’ll be staying.”
The extension also aligns with Mercedes’ ambitions through the upcoming engine and technical regulations changes, which many believe will level the playing field and sharpen competition.
Russell has won five Grands Prix to date, including notable victories this year in Canada and Singapore, and is aiming to capitalize on the new era to contend seriously for the Drivers’ Championship.
