Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has offered his clearest update yet on George Russell’s contract situation, confirming that a new deal for the British driver is almost complete.
Russell’s yet unsigned deal for 2026 has been a hot topic, with pundits questioning the delay in the two parties reaching an agreement, especially since Max Verstappen confirmed his allegiance to Red Bull for next season.
However, speaking after final practice at the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday, Wolff revealed that negotiations with Russell are on the brink of conclusion.
“We are super near,” the Mercedes boss told Sky Sports. When pressed on whether that meant a matter of days, hours, or even minutes, he laughed and replied: “Something like that.”
Russell himself asserted that his priority was not a deal signed on a timely basis, but rather one that ensures that all contractual elements are properly handled.
“I think for any driver, when you get to a certain point in your career, things have to be done right,” Russell said on Thursday in Singapore.
“Every time you renew a contract it’s the most important one of your life, and it has to be done with good care. There’s nothing to worry about. It will get done.”
Wolff backs Antonelli amid learning curve
Wolff also offered insight into the progress of Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will remain alongside Russell for 2026 despite a turbulent debut season.
“I think since Baku, we’ve seen a lot of big focus. There was so much attention on him and expectations were so high,” Wolff said.
“I feel that he has just less work outside in terms of media duties and maybe sponsorship duties and he’s spending all of his time with his engineering team and that’s good.”
The Austrian added that Antonelli’s form had improved markedly since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he delivered a composed drive to fourth.
“I think it’s a learning process with Kimi for what he responds well to,” Wolff explained. “We’ve always encouraged him. Even encouraged to make mistakes, because this is the last years of these regulations and all the other drivers have got used to these cars.
“It’s his first year, he doesn’t know all these tracks, he doesn’t know all of this world, so for next year everyone starts with zero. And in that respect, I think he’s doing a good job. It seems to have worked to get a little bit of fire under the arse.”
When asked if Mercedes viewed Antonelli as a potential generational talent, Wolff remained cautiously optimistic.
“This is a very high level already if you look at George, Max, the skills are so high, and there’s a few others that fall into that bracket,” he said. “I think actually making it into that group would be a success.
“The junior track record is phenomenal, he’s the best probably that we’ve seen in 10 years. In go-karting, exceptional. But Formula 1 is a different ball game.”
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