Overview

• George Russell's Mercedes contract expires at the end of 2025, with negotiations set for early summer as confirmed by team principal Toto Wolff.
• Russell has expressed openness to partnering with any driver on the grid and has not ruled out potential team moves for 2026.
• Max Verstappen's Red Bull contract runs until 2028 but includes performance-linked exit clauses that could allow him to leave earlier.
• Verstappen emphasized that upcoming races are critical for evaluating Red Bull's progress and his future with the team.
• Rival teams, including Mercedes, are holding off on finalizing 2026 lineups as Verstappen's decision could significantly impact the driver market.