George Russell's "Pay to Race" Comment Draws Martin Brundle's Warning
Why it matters: With Max Verstappen now confirmed at Red Bull for the 2026 F1 season, the focus shifts to George Russell's contract situation at Mercedes. Despite having his strongest campaign yet, Russell remains without a contract for next season, making his recent comments about salary a point of discussion.
The details: Speaking at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Russell stated he feels he's at his peak and prioritizing the fight for a world championship over his salary. He explicitly said, "I would pay to be a world champion. I would pay to fight for a world championship." This statement caught the attention of Sky F1 pundit and former driver manager Martin Brundle.
- Russell's perspective: He explained that his contract decision isn't solely about pay, but ensuring it's right for both him and the team, emphasizing faith in future performance.
- Brundle's warning: Drawing on his experience managing David Coulthard, Brundle expressed discomfort with Russell's comment. He advised against such statements, saying, "If I was managing George, I would have said, don't say you'll drive for nothing, or don't say you'll pay, please, because that's going to come back and hurt us somewhere." Brundle acknowledged Russell's intent but highlighted the potential negotiating pitfall.
The big picture: Russell has claimed his fourth career win in Canada this season and secured five further podiums. For a time, his Mercedes future was uncertain due to potential interest from Verstappen. However, with Verstappen off the market, Russell is now positioned as arguably the most desirable driver without a confirmed 2025 contract.
What's next: Brundle believes that the market shift has put Russell in a more favorable position. "The cards have turned around, because suddenly George is far and away the best driver available in the world of Formula 1, who doesn't have a contract next year," Brundle said. He interprets Russell's current stance as a strategic move to slow down negotiations and leverage his newly strengthened position.