George Russell's new contract renewal is about to be finalized.
This season, the stellar George Russell has already claimed a spot on the podium three times, and rumors suggest he is on the brink of signing a contract extension with Mercedes worth $30 million annually. As the possibility of four-time world champion Max Verstappen exiting his contract rises, coupled with the shake-up in the driver market triggered by Lando Norris' recent partnership pressures following his contract with McLaren last year, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has taken additional steps to evaluate Russell's renewal.
According to a report from motorsport.com, Russell's stellar performance, combined with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli's impressive start to the season, seems to have led Wolff to reconsider his initial preference for a Verstappen-Russell pairing. The future contract extension is expected to last two years, with an option for 2028. The new agreement will bring Russell's annual salary in line with Norris and Charles Leclerc, approximately $30 million, or around £23 million. According to Forbes, the contract’s salary structure will be split evenly between base salary and bonuses.
Mercedes的策略考量
Considering Mercedes' strategy, the team is expected to announce this news before the British GP, which will secure their lineup through 2027. As stated, The future hinges on Antonelli's performance, and Mercedes' flexibility in driver selection will give them a competitive edge.
