Russell deal delays Mercedes 2026 driver reveal
Mercedes has yet to confirm its 2026 driver pairing as George Russell continues to negotiate terms for a new contract.
Mercedes has yet to confirm its 2026 driver pairing as George Russell continues to negotiate terms for a new contract.
Although widely expected to remain alongside teenage prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli – after Toto Wolff’s failed attempt to sign Max Verstappen – the official announcement of either deal has not materialised.
Antonelli’s mixed rookie season is not thought to be the issue, with attention instead on Russell’s demands. Nico Rosberg, speaking on Sky, suggested the talks revolve around salary, contract duration and commercial obligations.
“It’s terrible to negotiate with Toto,” the 2016 world champion admitted. “He just disappears when you try to negotiate better clauses. I suffered a lot from it.
“George is probably unhappy with some of the terms. He’s a Mercedes junior, after all, but earns a lot less than, say, Lando Norris, but George considers himself equal to Lando. I also think that – given the right car – he can win championships. That’s why he probably finds it unfair that his salary doesn’t reflect that.”
Russell himself has pointed to sponsor commitments as a major sticking point. “The team knows that for a certain amount of time spent with a sponsor, they receive a certain amount of money, but no one can predict whether an event will make me a thousandth or a tenth slower,” the 27-year-old explained.
“I arrive on Thursday morning with a sponsor event, another on Friday evening, another on Saturday evening. There are interviews all weekend long, partner activities on Sunday. Talking doesn’t make me faster, it takes energy. I don’t rest, I don’t train, I’m not in the simulator – all the time I could spend being faster.”
Rosberg agrees that Mercedes places heavier demands on its drivers than many rivals. “These teams have so many sponsors, who pay so much money,” he said.
“Their only bargaining chip is the size of the logos on the car, which is limited, so they take up the drivers’ time. They want their clients to be able to meet George Russell. That can go up to 60 days out of 365. It’s huge, especially since it’s sometimes half-days, so more like 80 days.
“That was one of the reasons Lewis (Hamilton) left for Ferrari, because Ferrari doesn’t use their drivers for media days. It’s such an established brand that they don’t need to offer their sponsors that driver time. I heard that for Vettel, it was 10 days, and that was it.
“It’s something, especially at the end of a career, that is given a lot of consideration,” said Rosberg.
ID:581574:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3303:
