George Russell on the podium at the Singapore Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Russell names bold target after Mercedes contract extension

16:35, 16 Oct

Updated: 17:41, 16 Oct

byKada Sarkozi

After signing a contract extension with Mercedes, George Russell has revealed his focus and being ready for what's next.

"I am prepared for what is to come. I am ready to be champion."

- George Russell

Russell shared his journey to his current seat in a column for The Players' Tribune after signing a contract extension with Mercedes.

The Brit explained that throughout his life, he always focused on the next race only.

"As much as there’s always talk of contracts in this sport, to be honest, I’ve never worried about them. Because I know that if I perform, everything gets sorted," he writes.

Mercedes' W16 and George Russell after winning the Singapore GP - Photo: Race Pictures

"Listen, we can talk all we want about how close everybody is on teams….. At the end of the day, this is transactional. This is a business. I know why I’m here. A team hires a driver to be fast."

He then explained what he learned from his current team boss Toto Wolff and ex-teammate Lewis Hamilton.

"I think that’s why sometimes I feel like my personality is a little misunderstood. Because I’m so focused on that part of it. Being fast. Everything else is just noise to me. I just want to perform. That’s my mindset: I want to win a F1 world championship. And when I do, I know I’ll want to win another and another … I learned that from being around Lewis and Toto."

Russell names clear goal

Russell will continue with Kimi Antonelli as teammate in 2026, when the next regulation changes take effect. Now with a multi-year deal in place for the driver, the Brit has a clear target looking ahead.

Read about the details of the contract of the five-time Grand Prix winner here!

Read also

"Everything I do, from the minute I wake up in the morning, to the minute I go to sleep, is planned pretty much to the second in order to answer one question: Is this making me faster?" he explained his determination.

"This is the first thing I’ve done in years that hasn’t been about looking forward. But I’m glad that I finally put my thoughts on paper — my real story. My real journey to this seat. Honestly, I feel a bit lighter. A bit more free."

Russell knows his next target. He concluded: "I believe in myself and my team. I am prepared for what is to come. I am ready to be champion."

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