Mercedes Criticised Over George Russell Contract Drama Despite F1 Champion’s Defence
Mercedes have faced backlash from the Formula 1 community following their contract negotiations with George Russell, even though the British driver ultimately secured a multi-year extension with the team for 2026 and beyond. Despite the criticism, former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has defended the decision, insisting that Mercedes would have been “stupid” not to retain Russell.
After months of speculation, the Brackley-based outfit confirmed ahead of the United States Grand Prix that Russell will remain with the Silver Arrows alongside rising star Kimi Antonelli. The announcement came after a tense period in which Mercedes were rumoured to be pursuing reigning world champion Max Verstappen, hoping to lure him away from Red Bull ahead of the upcoming 2026 regulation changes.
However, Verstappen made it clear that he intends to stay loyal to Red Bull, a move that reportedly left Mercedes in a delicate position regarding Russell’s future. Sources close to the team suggested that their open courting of Verstappen may have unsettled Russell, prompting the 26-year-old to seek reassurance and a stronger commitment from the team that brought him into F1 full-time in 2022.
Russell, who described his new deal as a “multi-year contract,” expressed confidence in Mercedes’ long-term vision and their chances of returning to title contention once the new technical regulations are introduced. “I feel very much at home here,” he said earlier this month. “Mercedes is where I want to be when we take on the next chapter of Formula 1. We’ve made great progress this year, and I believe we can challenge at the top again soon.”
Despite the internal tensions and public criticism, Russell’s performances this season have spoken for themselves. He remains one of only three race winners in 2025, alongside Max Verstappen and the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. His two victories and consistent top-five finishes have kept Mercedes competitive despite not always having the fastest car on the grid.
Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, believes Russell’s results prove he has been carrying the team at times. Speaking to Vision 4 Sport, Villeneuve argued that Mercedes had no realistic alternative to the Briton. “They would have been stupid not to re-sign George Russell,” he said bluntly. “He’s been driving that team forward and scoring more points than the car really deserves. He’s shown great consistency and maturity.”
The Canadian also acknowledged that Mercedes were in a strong negotiating position, given the limited number of available seats on the F1 grid. “It wasn’t a case of ten teams lining up to sign George because there simply wasn’t space,” Villeneuve explained. “That’s why Mercedes didn’t need to rush. What would George have done if they hadn’t re-signed him? It goes both ways. But in the end, they made the right call.”
Villeneuve went on to praise Russell’s understated yet effective approach to racing. “George has been quietly impressive this year,” he continued. “When people talk about this season, they don’t really mention Mercedes or George—but he’s been there, delivering results and often outperforming the car. He consistently extracts more than expected from what he’s given.”
According to Villeneuve, Russell’s work ethic and technical understanding have made him an integral part of Mercedes’ rebuilding process. “He’s a massive asset for that team,” he said. “Mercedes are making progress again, and George is a key reason for that. If they hadn’t re-signed him, who else could they have chosen? There’s nobody available at his level right now.”
While Mercedes’ flirtation with Verstappen raised eyebrows and drew criticism from some quarters, Villeneuve’s assessment suggests that the decision to secure Russell’s future was ultimately a smart and necessary one. With Antonelli set to make his full-season debut alongside him in 2026, Mercedes now appear to have settled on a blend of experience and youthful promise as they aim to return to the front of the Formula 1 grid.
In the end, what began as a controversial contract saga may prove to be the cornerstone of Mercedes’ resurgence—anchored by a driver who has quietly become one of the sport’s most dependable performers.
