
George Russell: Ready to be Champion with New Mercedes Contract and 2026 Focus
Summary
George Russell has secured a new multi-year deal with Mercedes, expressing his readiness to become an F1 champion. He reveals his intense focus on performance means he rarely worries about contracts, though it might lead to his personality being "misunderstood." Russell is now fully geared toward a strong 2025 finish and the significant regulation changes for the 2026 season.
George Russell has finally signed a new multi-year contract with Mercedes, declaring himself "ready to be champion." Despite the usual F1 contract chatter, Russell maintains he's never worried, believing performance dictates his future. This intense focus on being fast, he admits, might lead to his personality being "a little misunderstood" at times.
Why it matters:
- Russell's long-term commitment to Mercedes signifies stability for the team as they navigate the upcoming 2026 regulation changes.
- His confidence in becoming a champion underscores his ambition and belief in Mercedes' future competitiveness.
- The 'misunderstood personality' comment offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of a highly driven F1 driver, prioritizing performance above all else.
The Details:
- Contract Confirmation: Mercedes officially announced new contracts for both Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli on the eve of the United States Grand Prix.
- Multi-year Deal: PlanetF1.com understands Russell's new terms are a multi-year agreement, extending his stay beyond 2025.
- Performance Over Contracts: Russell stated in The Players' Tribune, "As much as there’s always talk of contracts in this sport, to be honest, I’ve never worried about them. Because I know that if I perform, everything gets sorted."
- 'Misunderstood' Personality: He elaborated, "I think that’s why sometimes I feel like my personality is a little misunderstood. Because I’m so focused on that part of it. Being fast. Everything else is just noise to me."
- Championship Ambition: Russell's ultimate goal is clear: "I want to win an F1 world championship. And when I do, I know I’ll want to win another and another… I learned that from being around Lewis [Hamilton] and Toto."
What's next:
- Russell is focused on a strong finish to the 2025 season, building on his recent win in Singapore.
- His sights are firmly set on the 2026 season, which will introduce significant regulation changes for chassis and engine.
- With the contract settled, Russell can now channel all his energy into maximizing performance for Mercedes in the pursuit of future championships.
Original Article :https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-not-bothered-by-f1-contracts-person...