George Russell celebrates his Singapore GP victory on the podium - Photo: Race Pictures

Russell 'doesn't need to bend over in negotiations' with his leverage

10:02, 10 Oct

byKada Sarkozi

Former team boss Guenther Steiner says George Russell ‘has leverage’ in contract negotiations with his current team Mercedes.

"So I think that is Russell's leverage that Mercedes has no other option."

- Guenther Steiner

George Russell secured his second victory of the season at last Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen and the two McLaren drivers after claiming pole position.

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner is certain the Briton will get a new contract with Mercedes. He shared his thoughts on The Red Flags Podcast.

He said: "He will get one [a contract]. I mean, if he doesn’t get it with Mercedes, he gets it somewhere else. But obviously, George knows what he’s worth, and I would say he doesn’t want Mercedes' terms. He wants to do the best for him."

George Russell on the Singapore podium - Photo: Race Pictures

According to Steiner, the Brit stepped up to be the experienced driver within the team after Lewis Hamilton left for Ferrari. "He did [so] pretty well, and now he’s waiting for a contract. So, I think he just tries to negotiate the best terms for him, and I guess he wants more than a one-year contract."

The former team principal also detailed what he thinks Toto Wolff's plan is. "I guess Toto is playing at give him one year, so if Max [Verstappen] wants to leave Red Bull, I got a place for Max and my love child, Kimi Antonelli."

However, he adds that Russell doesn’t need to compromise, as Mercedes finds itself in a more difficult situation with no suitable replacement options on the market.

"Mercedes, if they are participating in F1, they want to win the world championship. They’re not here to participate. They are here to win. So who else is there [other] than George?

"So I think that is his leverage that Mercedes has no other option. That’s for next year, and that is his play. 'I want more than next year' because in '27 if, for example, just hypothetical Max decides ‘Red Bull isn’t good enough for me, I want to go to Mercedes'."

If Russell were in contention to replace Verstappen at Red Bull, Steiner believes the Brit would lose his leverage.

"Obviously, then George would have the chance to go to Red Bull. But at that stage, Red Bull has got all the leverage over him. We don’t know how good or how bad the Red Bull will be anyway in '27."

Toto Wolff walking in the Singapore paddock - Photo: Race Pictures

Wolff comments on Russell's contract after the Brit's Singapore success

The Austrian CEO and team principal has issues a confirmed on both Russell and Antonelli remaining for next year.

Talking about Russell's contract after his latest victory, Wolff said: "Contract-wise, good things take a while. It's about the detail, and it's not about the big topics."