The intense speculation surrounding George Russell's future at Mercedes appears to be drawing to a close, with Sky Sports F1 reporting that the British driver is set to sign a new multi-year contract with the Silver Arrows.
This development confirms Mercedes' commitment to Russell as a cornerstone of their Formula 1 future, ending months of public uncertainty.
Russell's current contract with Mercedes was due to expire at the end of 2025, leading to considerable discussion, particularly amidst the team's highly publicised (and now reportedly concluded) pursuit of Max Verstappen.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal, had previously acknowledged his interest in Verstappen but consistently affirmed that his "absolute priority" was to continue with both Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli for the 2026 season.
Sky Sports News understands that the prospective extension is indeed a multi-year deal, which could tie the 27-year-old to the Brackley outfit until at least the end of the 2027 season.
This significant commitment underscores Mercedes' belief in Russell's capabilities, especially as the sport prepares for the radical new technical regulations arriving in 2026.
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Despite the external noise, Russell has maintained a calm demeanour regarding his contractual situation.
He recently told media that he was "at peace" with the delay, stating he had "no doubts" about his place in Formula 1 next year.
This confidence was surely bolstered by his strong performance throughout the 2025 season so far. Russell has enjoyed his most complete F1 campaign to date, extracting the maximum from Mercedes' often inconsistent W16 challenger.
His season highlights include a commanding victory at the Canadian Grand Prix and four additional podium finishes.
While the "dream team" scenario of a Russell-Verstappen pairing, which Toto Wolff himself once likened to a "Prost-Senna" combination, is now understood to be off the table for the immediate future, securing Russell is a significant strategic win for Mercedes.
He provides proven experience, leadership, and raw speed, making him a vital asset as they aim to return to championship-winning contention in the new regulatory era.
The expected announcement, which could come before the F1 summer break following this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, will bring much-needed clarity to the driver market.
It solidifies Mercedes' line-up for the foreseeable future, placing their faith firmly in Russell and their highly-touted young talent, Antonelli.