![\"Wolff](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/XPB_1365086_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToto Wolff has confirmed George Russell will be with Mercedes in 2026. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToto Wolff has confirmed George Russell will be with Mercedes in 2026. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
While a contract extension is yet to be formally announced, the Mercedes team principal made it clear Russell remains central to the Silver Arrows\u2019 plans heading into the next rules era.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely, he\u2019s staying,\u201d Wolff said following Russell\u2019s podium finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team is strong. He has shown it today again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russell has emerged as Mercedes\u2019 team leader in 2025 following Lewis Hamilton\u2019s departure to Ferrari and the arrival of teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli.<\/p>\n
In a transitional season for the Brackley-based squad, the 27-year-old has delivered consistently strong results \u2014 including victory in Canada and five further podium finishes \u2014 marking the best start to a campaign in his F1 career.<\/p>\n
His latest performance in Hungary, where he overtook pole-sitter Charles Leclerc late in the race to secure third, further strengthened his position in the team.<\/p>\n
Wolff praised Russell\u2019s track record since joining the Mercedes junior programme and said the team had never wavered in its belief in him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, George has always had good cards, because he has delivered since 2018,\u201d Wolff said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere wasn\u2019t a season he wasn\u2019t there, and nothing changed that in our thinking for next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, just because you don\u2019t talk outside doesn\u2019t mean that things are progressing in you relationship internally, and when it comes to contract, let\u2019s see. We will come out and say what kind of term we\u2019ve put forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russell, meanwhile, has remained relaxed throughout the negotiations, stating before the Hungarian Grand Prix that there was no urgency from either side to finalise the new deal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve waited so long, and I think now I want to get through this weekend,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to go on a holiday next week and enjoy the break, and there is no time pressure my side.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no time pressure from the team\u2019s side. So whenever we come to an agreement, we\u2019ll get it done, but it\u2019s got to be right both ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
His comments came amid speculation linking reigning world champion Max Verstappen to Mercedes for 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wolff had previously admitted to holding discussions with Verstappen earlier in the year as the team explored its options for the next technical cycle.<\/p>\n