Russell holds good cards in contract talks - Wolff

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says George Russell holds good cards as talks progress over a contract extension.

Russell is out of contract at the end of the season and has faced a level of uncertainty due to Mercedes’ interest in Max Verstappen this year, admitting ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix that the past six months had “not been the most assuring.” With Verstappen subsequently committing to Red Bull for 2026, talks over a new deal for Russell are understood to be progressing in a positive direction, and Wolff says the 27-year-old’s performances put him in a strong position.

“George has always had good cards because he delivered since 2018,” Wolff said. “There wasn't a season he wasn't there and nothing changed that in our thinking for next year. Just because you don't talk outside doesn't mean that things are progressing in a way they shouldn’t internally.

“When it comes to contract, let's see. We'll come out and say what kind of term we have put forward, but definitely his standing in the team is strong. He has shown it [in Hungary] again and there's no reason [not] to plan with George in the long term.”

With teammate Kimi Antonelli also yet to have his future confirmed, Wolff stopped short of putting a timeline on any announcements.

“Well, if it was interesting news, I shouldn't be responding to your question! I don't know," he said. "We'll choose a good moment, like some kind of funky grand prix where there’s lots of fans and we'll come out with that.”

Antonelli scored his first point of the European season in Hungary after finishing 10th, and Wolff says reverting to an older suspension solution helps the rookie’s confidence.

“The car generally is giving more feedback to him," he said. "He said that the weekend was a transformation from the first session. Qualifying went wrong, but that happens to a young driver.

“Hanging him out there for tire survival [in the race] was another part of the development that he needs to go through. He scored a point, he defended against [Isack] Hadjar behind and I'm satisfied with that. Hopefully we're going to get strong in the second half of the year. So, he’s on target.”