George Russell insists the phrases of his new Mercedes F1 contract have been decided by efficiency, not cash.
Mercedes introduced on Wednesday that Russell and rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli will stay on the workforce till the 2026 season, ending a long-running dispute over their respective futures.
Crash.web understands Russell’s contract extension is multi-year, however the Day by day Mail studies it’s price £30m a yr.
The hefty new wage means solely Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are paid greater than the 27-year-old Briton.
Russell confused that cash was not the principle issue within the new contract, however admitted it may have been “harder” with Mercedes supervisor Toto Wolff receiving a brand new and better wage.
“I am actually glad to have the ability to proceed,” Russell stated forward of this weekend’s American Grand Prix.
“The reality is, if all of the seats can be found subsequent yr and you’ll select to race with any workforce, I consider Mercedes could have one of the best likelihood of profitable the championship subsequent yr.”
“And for me, it is extra essential to win than cash or sponsor days or something like that. I need to win and that is what I am preventing for, so it is the lengthy and wanting it.
“I believe for any driver, on the finish of the day, it is all about efficiency. No less than for me, what helps me sleep higher at evening is understanding that my efficiency is powerful and that is the key to staying within the sport like another driver.”
“Our intention and my aim is to proceed with Mercedes indefinitely and I’m right here to deal with profitable in 2026.”
Russell, who had an excellent 2025 season with two wins, added: “I am actually glad to be trustworthy, as a result of given the scenario with me and the workforce, it may have been fairly tight if Toto needed it.”
“However I believe he actually acknowledges that we have to reward the people who find themselves performing, the people who find themselves placing within the effort and getting again on observe and getting outcomes.
“That is why I am right here smiling, very pleased with this supply. It is a bonus, however the principle aim for me is a quick race automobile.”
Kimi Antonelli had ‘doubts’ about F1’s future
Antonelli admitted he had ‘doubts’ about his future
Antonelli admitted he had “some doubts” about his F1 future after enduring a grueling run in Europe throughout his debut Grand Prix season.
The Italian teenager, aged simply 19, was branded “underwhelming” by coach Wolff after his disappointing outcome on the Italian Grand Prix.
Nevertheless, Antonelli has since bounced again and completed fourth and fifth in Azerbaijan and Singapore respectively.
“The workforce was at all times clear about their plans and what they needed to do, so I wasn’t too fearful, nevertheless it’s at all times good to get affirmation,” Antonelli stated.
“Particularly when there are ups and downs and particularly tough occasions, you begin to have some doubts. However the workforce has at all times been very supportive and particularly very open to eager to be with me subsequent yr as properly.”
“I am actually glad it was introduced and confirmed. Although I knew it, it nonetheless made me really feel a bit bit, a bit bit higher, as a result of I knew I used to be assured to get a seat for subsequent yr.”
