Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill has suggested that George Russell always feels “temporary” at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, warning that even an F1 2026 Drivers’ Championship might not guarantee his long-term future. Hill drew parallels to his own career, having been replaced at Williams F1 despite winning the title.

Russell entered 2026 as a title favourite, but teammate Kimi Antonelli stole the spotlight by winning his first Grand Prix in China, prompting Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff to defend the teenager’s early promotion.

Hill noted that while Antonelli enjoys Wolff’s backing, Russell has spent multiple seasons striving to impress, and his contract extension, finalised after the 2025 Singapore GP, only secures his future if he performs.

Meanwhile, speculation surrounds Max Verstappen, who has struggled early in 2026 and criticised the new F1 regulations, despite having a contract at Red Bull Racing through 2028.

During the podcast, Damon Hill reflected on a situation he had faced himself: after winning the 1996 World Championship, Williams informed him halfway through the season that he would not be retained for the following year.

““So George is always temporary. I feel like I’m relating to this a little bit, that it’s almost as if you’re standing there going, ‘Why can’t you recognise what I’ve got. Why is there not the same fuss over my offering.”

“George has got the opportunity now to win the championship. But that’s not going to guarantee him his future at Mercedes.”

“Kimi is Toto’s protégé, if you like. He’s put his reputation on the line to get this guy in,” Hill said via the Stay On Track podcast.”

“Kimi doesn’t want to let him down, but at the same time, he’s thankful to Toto, and Toto’s delighted that he’s now won a race.”

“Meanwhile, George, has been trying his very best to impress them for now I don’t know how many seasons. It got to a point last year where they had to re-sign and it went on a bit. It wasn’t like Toto was desperate to re-sign George.”