George Russell is confident he is in the best seat in Formula 1 to challenge for the world title in 2026 after finally signing his new Mercedes contract.
Mercedes officially confirmed on Wednesday that Russell and Kimi Antonelli would remain their driver pairing for next season.
Although the news had been expected ever since known target Max Verstappen confirmed in July he was definitely staying at Red Bull for 2026, negotiations over the final details of Russell’s new deal had dragged on into the final two months of this season.
Speaking about the contract for the first time in Austin on Thursday, Russell said: “Looking into next year, there were a lot of things I wanted off-track to get right to allow me to perform at my very best on track.
“And the truth is, if every single seat was available, and I could choose any single seat to race for in 2026, I would choose to be in the Mercedes.
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Highlights of the Singapore Grand Prix from the Marina Bay Street Circuit
“I truly think that is the place that will give you the best chance of winning the world championship next year with everything I know now.
“We might turn out to be wrong, but with everything we know now, I’m feeling really happy with the deal we’ve done, confident with the team, and looking forward to moving onwards and upwards.”
F1’s chassis and engine regulations are being dramatically overhauled for next season with Mercedes – who stole a march on the field the last time F1 introduced new power units in 2014 to set up an era of unprecedented title-winning success – being widely tipped in the paddock as the likely 2026 front-runners.
Russell says contract length detail ‘irrelevant’
Given Toto Wolff’s long-standing interest in Verstappen, the biggest intrigue around Russell’s new contract once it was announced was always going to be around its duration.
The team’s official announcement only stated that Russell and Antonelli were confirmed for 2026, with the lack of wider detail immediately leading to suggestions that the drivers’ contractual status was such that the door had been left ajar for Verstappen from 2027.
Sky Sports understands that Russell’s deal is actually for a multi-year term, which the Briton himself confirmed in interviews on Thursday. However, the exact detail of that contract duration is not known beyond 2026.
Nonetheless, Russell said that ultimately the length of the deal was ultimately not the thing that mattered most.
“I think if you look at Formula 1 as a whole, people say a driver has signed for X years, but then it doesn’t turn out to be like this, and there’s all different clauses and stuff,” said Russell.
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Russell claimed pole despite hitting the wall at the Singapore GP
“It’s almost like an irrelevant piece of information, because if things are going well, everything continues, if they’re not, that’s where the discussions happen, generally speaking.
“I’m loyal to Mercedes, they’ve shown their loyalty in me, and I believe going into 2026, Mercedes without a doubt has my best chance of winning a world championship.”
Speaking to the written press, Russell added: “It always just comes down to performance. For any driver, or at least for myself, what allows me to sleep well at night is knowing that my performances are strong, and that is what will keep you in the sport.
“Our intention and my goal is to continue with Mercedes indefinitely, and we’re here to focus on winning in 2026.”
Russell: Wolff made ‘very generous’ contract offer
Russell will enter his fifth season as a Mercedes race driver in 2026 with the 27-year-old’s stock in the sport surely having never been higher.
He is enjoying an impressive 2025 campaign that has seen him win two grands prix, the most recent of which came in Singapore a fortnight ago, and has dominated highly-rated youngster Antonelli in their head-to-head.
The Briton feels that form has been reflected in the terms team boss Toto Wolff offered him in the new deal.
“I think it’s less about what you believe, it’s more about what you have delivered,” he said.
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George Russell says he is really pleased with the win at the Singapore GP and says the goal now is to secure second in constructors for Mercedes.
“Everybody believes they are worth more probably than the reality, but I think it’s always down to what you have delivered on track, the consistency, the performances, how you work with the team.
“And Toto has definitely recognised this and, given our circumstances within the team, he could have been much tighter with his offers but he’s been very generous.
“That’s why I’m very happy because he also recognises that to win, you need the people to be happy and to feel valued and to give everything back for you.
“And that’s what he’s done, and that’s why I’m here with a smile on my face.”
Sky Sports F1’s live United States GP schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the United States Grand Prix
Friday October 17
6pm: United States GP Practice One (practice starts at 6.30pm)*
8.30pm: Team Principals’ Press Conference
10pm: United States GP Sprint Qualifying (qualifying starts at 10.30pm*)
Saturday October 18
5pm: United States GP Sprint build-up
6pm: UNITED STATES GP SPRINT
7pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
9pm: United States GP Qualifying build-up*
10pm: UNITED STATES GP QUALIFYING*
12am (Sunday morning): Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday October 19
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up*
8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP reaction
11pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 are in North America for the United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
