George Russell, one of the drivers with an expiring contract, is not worried about his future. The Mercedes driver believes that if he continues to perform well – he currently ranks third in the championship after two races – he expects to spend ‘no more than 24 hours’ discussing a contract extension with team boss Toto Wolff.
George Russell is currently the biggest name on the transfer market, as his contract expires after 2025. However, he sees his future with Mercedes and feels no rush to discuss a contract extension with Toto Wolff. “From my side, there’s no stress regarding a contract. Ultimately, there are contracts in Formula 1 and things change very quickly. I believe in myself, I need to perform, and it’s as simple as that,” he says at the press conference during the press day in Japan.
“When it comes to contract discussions, I think in the past, with Toto, it takes no more than 24 hours to have the conversation, and then it goes to the lawyers and we get something in place,” he adds. “So there’s no rush from my side, there are no worries, and there’s no pressure. I’m enjoying where I am in the sport right now, enjoying my performances, and just enjoying racing. That’s the main priority at the moment.”
Not Seeking Recognition
George Russell is performing strongly this season. With two podium finishes in the first two races, the Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese Grand Prix, the Brit is in top form. He currently ranks third in the championship, behind Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.”When asked if he feels he is not sufficiently recognized as a serious title contender, he responds pragmatically. “This season was a fantastic start to the year. I don’t think we could have achieved a better result and I hope we can continue this trend. But realistically, we know the McLarens are exceptionally strong and I think it will be a challenge for everyone to compete with them.”
Russell is not bothered by the fact that his name often does not appear in the lists of potential world champions. “I am a Formula 1 driver living my dream. It’s not about perception, it’s about reality. The reality is that if we are going to fight for a championship this year, we need to improve,” he says. “I feel like I have performed very well over the past three seasons. I’ve had one of the strongest teammates ever, Lewis Hamilton, but I’m not looking for external recognition. I just want to race every weekend, perform, and do my job.”
