George Russell’s future with Mercedes in Formula 1 is close to being confirmed, with various unconfimed reports suggesting that most of the key terms of a new contract have been agreed. Following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Mercedes needed to decide if Russell could lead the team alongside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli in 2026.

Speculation about a potential move for Max Verstappen has largely faded, as his reported contract exit clause has likely expired after the Belgian Grand Prix. With Verstappen staying at Red Bull, Mercedes turned their focus to securing Russell.

Talks with Russell have accelerated recently, and Mercedes is pushing to finalise the deal before the summer break, ideally before the Hungarian Grand Prix. Although Russell has been in strong form this season, Mercedes reportedly sees him as a solid option rather than a generational talent like Verstappen.

According to reports, one of the remaining sticking points is the number of sponsor appearances Russell will be required to make. Mercedes is reportedly offering a pay adjustment if Russell reduces his marketing obligations. While he doesn’t have the same commercial pull as Hamilton or Verstappen, his deal is expected to reflect a tier similar to Charles Leclerc or Lando Norris.

Despite past warnings from Nico Rosberg about the difficulty of negotiating with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, Russell now appears close to finalising his long-term future with the team. Attention will soon shift to what lies ahead for Antonelli in 2026.