George Russell Confirms Mercedes Contract Includes 2027 Performance Clause Amid Verstappen Speculation

• George Russell revealed that his Mercedes deal includes a performance-based clause guaranteeing him a 2027 seat.
• The contract follows speculation linking Mercedes boss Toto Wolff with a renewed attempt to sign Max Verstappen.
• Russell said his fate is “in my hands,” adding that the final deal is “substantially better” than what was offered in 2024.

George Russell has confirmed that his Mercedes contract contains performance-based guarantees that will automatically extend his stay through 2027, ensuring his seat remains secure even if team principal Toto Wolff again pursues Max Verstappen.

After months of uncertainty, Mercedes recently confirmed Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as its 2026 driver lineup. The team did not initially disclose the length of Russell’s deal, fuelling speculation after Wolff openly courted Verstappen earlier this year in hopes of luring him from Red Bull.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Russell explained that his new contract is a one-plus-one arrangement, a structure commonly used in Formula 1 that extends automatically if key performance targets are met.

“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,” Russell said. “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 per cent I’ll be staying.”

The 26-year-old, who has taken two victories this season, said the delay in finalising his contract ended up benefiting him.

“Everything works out for the best,” he added. “I actually wanted to sign the deal back in October 2024 but the deal I got today is substantially better than what I would have got had I signed it then. So yeah, sometimes I think you just have to trust in your ability and I feel I’m only getting stronger.”

Verstappen’s own contract reportedly contains escape clauses that could have allowed him to leave Red Bull if he had fallen to fourth or lower in the championship standings at the summer break. The Dutchman sat third after the Hungarian Grand Prix, closing that door for now.

It remains unclear whether similar conditions exist in Verstappen’s deal beyond 2025, though it is believed he retains some flexibility should Red Bull’s new partnership with Ford fail to deliver a competitive car.

The pair’s relationship has often been strained. Ahead of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Russell referred to Verstappen as a “bully,” prompting the Red Bull driver to call him a “loser” in response. Asked about their dynamic, Russell said the tension does not bother him.

“We just say hello to each other,” Russell said. “We don’t really speak. But we don’t ignore each other. I don’t lose sleep over it. And for sure he doesn’t lose sleep over it. So it doesn’t bother me one single bit.

“Life is short. We’re all adults. We all learn from these experiences. You don’t need to be best mates as teammates … Max is an incredible driver. There’s no denying that. But that’s why I would relish going up against him. We all believe we’re the best.”

Russell joined Mercedes in 2022, right as the team’s era of dominance ended. He and the team are targeting a return to championship contention under the new 2026 regulations, which introduce revised power units and chassis rules.

Following his victory at the Singapore Grand Prix last month, Russell said he feels ready to challenge for the title once Mercedes’ new engine package arrives.

“That’s not just marketing talk,” Russell said. “I’d probably say potentially the only ones who wouldn’t [swap teams] would be the McLaren guys.”