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Kimi Antonelli has claimed his third consecutive victory of the season at the Miami Grand Prix, and with it comes a question that Mercedes would probably prefer to stay in the background: where exactly does that leave George Russell?
Russell won the season opener before Antonelli ran off three straight wins, leaving the Italian 20 points clear of his teammate just four races in. And while Briton has entered the season as the betting-odds favourite to win the title, it has now swung in his team-mate direction.
It has been suggested that Russell may have to win the 2026 drivers‘ title to trigger a one-year option to extend his contract with Mercedes, though Russell’s own comments suggest the clause could be more favourable in his direction than simply winning the championship outright.
Russell himself has told the media: “I will be here next year with the team and that’s that,” describing it as “a multi-year deal” and adding that “even if metrics aren’t hit, if things are happy then you continue.”
That’s a confident face to put on a situation that is, by any honest read, performance-contingent.
Juan Pablo Montoya isn’t buying his composure. Speaking on the F1: Checkered Flag Podcast alongside 1996 world champion Damon Hill, Montoya argued the contract structure itself is the problem:
“Maybe by just getting a one-year deal. His mindset is in the wrong place because when they give you a one-year deal, they’re telling you, ‘We’re going to extend you, but we’re not sure about you.'”
Hill was a bit sharper on the subject. He raised the question of whether Russell’s standing at Mercedes has quietly changed now that Antonelli is here: “I think this whole business with the contract – remember it dragged on and Toto was kind of like playing with him a little bit and you want to go come on, you know, excuse me but I am doing the job.”
Miami Grand Prix, Friday, Getty Images MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 01: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 01, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“Is it a case of him not being the favorite child anymore because he was sort of being groomed at Williams to replace Bottas, got the gig and then the competitive wasn’t there and now Antonelli’s here?” Harry Benjamin asked.
Montoya’s response cut to it: “Yeah. But the reality of it is you have Max Verstappen the little diamond in this, you know, in the sky that everybody wants.”
Verstappen could get the option to leave Red Bull at the end of 2026 if he sits outside the top two in the standings at the summer break, with a window from August to October to trigger his release clause, and Red Bull’s early difficulties this season make it increasingly likely he’ll have a decision to make.
It has since been said that Toto Wolff is almost certain to target Verstappen again. Russell is contracted to remain at Mercedes until at least the end of the 2026 season.
If Verstappen becomes available mid-season and Antonelli continues winning races, the internal calculus at Brackley shifts considerably. Russell’s best argument for staying is a championship challenge. Right now, his teammate is conducting one without him.
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Russell won the season opener before Antonelli ran off three straight wins, leaving the Italian 20 points clear of his teammate just four races in. And while Briton has entered the season as the betting-odds favourite to win the title, it has now swung in his team-mate direction.
Russell’s Contract Situation Invites Questions
It has been suggested that Russell may have to win the 2026 drivers‘ title to trigger a one-year option to extend his contract with Mercedes, though Russell’s own comments suggest the clause could be more favourable in his direction than simply winning the championship outright.
Russell himself has told the media: “I will be here next year with the team and that’s that,” describing it as “a multi-year deal” and adding that “even if metrics aren’t hit, if things are happy then you continue.”
That’s a confident face to put on a situation that is, by any honest read, performance-contingent.
Juan Pablo Montoya isn’t buying his composure. Speaking on the F1: Checkered Flag Podcast alongside 1996 world champion Damon Hill, Montoya argued the contract structure itself is the problem:
“Maybe by just getting a one-year deal. His mindset is in the wrong place because when they give you a one-year deal, they’re telling you, ‘We’re going to extend you, but we’re not sure about you.'”
Hill was a bit sharper on the subject. He raised the question of whether Russell’s standing at Mercedes has quietly changed now that Antonelli is here: “I think this whole business with the contract – remember it dragged on and Toto was kind of like playing with him a little bit and you want to go come on, you know, excuse me but I am doing the job.”
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Miami Grand Prix, Friday, Getty Images MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 01: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 01, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“Is it a case of him not being the favorite child anymore because he was sort of being groomed at Williams to replace Bottas, got the gig and then the competitive wasn’t there and now Antonelli’s here?” Harry Benjamin asked.
Montoya’s response cut to it: “Yeah. But the reality of it is you have Max Verstappen the little diamond in this, you know, in the sky that everybody wants.”
The Verstappen Factor Isn’t Going Away
Verstappen could get the option to leave Red Bull at the end of 2026 if he sits outside the top two in the standings at the summer break, with a window from August to October to trigger his release clause, and Red Bull’s early difficulties this season make it increasingly likely he’ll have a decision to make.
It has since been said that Toto Wolff is almost certain to target Verstappen again. Russell is contracted to remain at Mercedes until at least the end of the 2026 season.
If Verstappen becomes available mid-season and Antonelli continues winning races, the internal calculus at Brackley shifts considerably. Russell’s best argument for staying is a championship challenge. Right now, his teammate is conducting one without him.
Continue reading...
