Rob Smedley urges George Russell to learn from Hamilton’s Mercedes contract saga

Follow us on Google Discover

George Russell remains without a contract for 2026 as Mercedes continue to delay his extension heading into the United States Grand Prix.

The Brit picked up a dominant win from pole position in Singapore, and he’s currently sitting fourth in the drivers’ championship.

Despite repeated assurances from Toto Wolff that both Russell and Kimi Antonelli are part of the team’s plans, there’s still no deal in place. Meanwhile, rumours of Max Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes have only added to the tension between Russell and Wolff.

“There seems to be a bit of unrest between Toto Wolff and George Russell at Mercedes,” Ralf Schumacher told Sky Sports Germany. “Russell would like more security for his future at Mercedes.”

Russell has clashed with Verstappen several times in the past and now faces the possibility of being replaced by him. It’s a situation that will require careful handling as the season progresses.

George Russell’s contract situation could mirror Lewis Hamilton’s

Russell is seeking a long-term deal to stay at Mercedes, but there’s talk that he might end up with just a one-year extension as Wolff keeps his options open for Verstappen in 2027.

Rob Smedley, speaking on F1 Nation, compared the current situation to what Lewis Hamilton faced at Mercedes. Hamilton was given a one-plus-one offer in 2023 before leaving for Ferrari in 2025.

Smedley suggested the team would do the same with Russell if it gave them a chance to sign Verstappen: “I mean, my understanding on that is that Mercedes, quite rightly, like any team with half an ounce of sense, are going to try to get Max Verstappen in their car.”

“You just want the best athlete on your team, whether or not that athlete is designing the car or driving the car, whatever it is, you just want the best athlete, right?”

“And I think it’s then up to the senior executive team to kind of manage that situation. But get the best athlete first off and then we’ll manage the fallout of having that best athlete.”

“And remember that we had this situation very recently as well in Mercedes where Lewis Hamilton was offered a one-plus-one deal. So there was security for a year and then at the end of that year all bets were off.”

“So I think if Mercedes are prepared to do that with Lewis Hamilton they’re certainly going to be prepared to do it with George if the prize is Max Verstappen.”

Rob Smedley believes Mercedes hold the upper hand in George Russell’s contract talks

According to Smedley, Mercedes have the advantage in negotiations. The Silver Arrows are expected to have the top engine when the 2026 F1 regulations come into play, and there aren’t many appealing alternatives for Russell if he decides to leave.

“We’re just trying to see it from the point of view of Mercedes trying to get that big prize. And don’t forget, it’s a chess game, isn’t it?” he said.

“This is a risk for Mercedes, but also they’ll be balancing that risk of like, well, where would George really go to?

“What do you do? Do you take a year in what is still effectively a top team and could very much be the dominant team from next year with a lottery of the new regulations? So are you going to do that?

“Or do you think the better deal is a midfield team that never has any chance of winning a world championship, but I can get three, four, five years security?”

READ MORE: A guide to the United States Grand Prix: COTA track stats and past winners

“Of course, they will have weighed that risk up and think that George and his team, his management team will always back Mercedes in this case because there aren’t any other top cars out there.”