Mercedes set for short Russell renewal as Antonelli endures pressure

George Russell looks likely to agree only a brief contract extension at Mercedes, with Toto Wolff leaving the team’s options open for 2027 and beyond.

For weeks, reports have suggested a tug-of-war over contract length, with Russell seeking at least two years plus an option, while Wolff insisted on another one-plus-one arrangement.

“There won’t be a big announcement about his contract, because it’s logical that we’ll extend it,” Wolff said at Monza.

As for the structure, the Austrian added: “We haven’t given very long contracts in the past and have kept them shorter. The longest we’ve ever given is two years, with an option. That’s a kind of Mercedes pattern.

"We were on a one-plus-one deal. That’s what we’ve always done. The drivers are under a lot of pressure, but if a driver says they’re faster on a two-year deal, that’s not the right approach.”

Also due for renewal is Kimi Antonelli, although the 19-year-old Italian continues to face heavy scrutiny. A year after his FP1 debut at Monza ended in the barriers, Lewis Hamilton’s successor again spun off in Friday practice. Wolff concedes the team may have raised expectations too soon.

“He got in a Formula 1 car, drove a lap where everyone in the first two sectors called him a mini-Jesus, and then parked the car in the wall,” Wolff recalled of Monza 2024. “That happens, but it was probably a mistake from us. Maybe we’ve had more moments than expected where we wanted to tear our hair out, but we remain committed to Kimi.”

Mercedes communications chief Bradley Lord also admitted Antonelli’s confidence dipped badly earlier in the season. “Unfortunately, with the modified rear suspension, he definitely lost confidence and trust in the car, and then, of course, it takes time for him to rebuild that," he told Sky Deutschland.

"The ingredients are there, we’re seeing some very strong moments. But at the moment, we’re just not managing to put everything together."

Former F1 driver Timo Glock agreed that Antonelli’s challenge is now as much mental as physical, saying at Monza:: “We don’t need to discuss the fact that he can drive a car, but there’s more to it than that. He has to learn to deal with all the trappings. He must now try to work his way out of this slump.”