Russell receives massive support amid uncertain contract situation

17:50, 14 Jul

byTobia Elia

Carlos Sainz showed support for George Russell, whose contract expires at the end of the season, having been in the same position himself last year when he found out Ferrari wouldn’t be renewing his deal for 2025.

Despite delivering strong results on track in the first twelve races, George Russell still finds himself without a contract for next season, as his current deal with Mercedes is set to expire at the end of 2025.

The Brackley-based team had the perfect opportunity to announce an extension at Silverstone just over a week ago, but Toto Wolff appears to be holding off — possibly waiting to see how the ongoing saga surrounding Max Verstappen and his future at Red Bull unfolds.

Racing without a signed contract in hand is undoubtedly a stressful experience for any driver. Carlos Sainz knows that feeling all too well — last year, he was unexpectedly dropped by Ferrari at the start of the season.

George Russell at Silverstone

Sainz shows support to Russell

While commenting on the Mercedes driver’s contract situation in an interview with TalkSPORT, the Spaniard offered his support to Russell: ''For sure as a racing driver is not an ideal situation. I think we all try and hide on the fact that it affects you.''

''We try and not be affected. And I strongly believe it, like I did last year, you can have a still a very strong season with all these noise going around your future and around your team.''

The Spaniard added: ''It can be proved by what George is doing this year and what I did last year, but at the same time it's not ideal. It's noise for you, it's noise for the team, it's noise for your engineers, for your mechanics.''

''In an ideal situation, the way you go racing and the way you are successful and the way you are getting the results and the way you are being world champion is when all this is quiet and there's 100% trust between you and the team and when there's 100% commitment between both parties.''

''So even though you can still do a very successful season and perform at a very high level, for sure it's not the ideal situation and it's not what any driver wants.''