Wolff confirms Russell's Mercedes extension is 'already done' as team skips formal announcement

Asked when the extension would finally be confirmed, Wolff replied: "That's already happened. We just haven't issued a major statement. There's really nothing more to add."

The quiet confirmation of Russell's future comes during a difficult season for the driver. The Briton sits 81 points behind teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings after the Spanish Grand Prix, having finished fifth at the Madring while Antonelli took the win. Russell conceded after the race that it is "exceptionally unlikely" he will be in the title fight.

Wolff insists Mercedes' confidence in Russell has not changed. "George was unlucky with the timing of the virtual safety car in Madrid," he insisted. "He's also going through an important development phase. He sees it as a challenge to adapt to the new situation."

In the same Österreich interview, Wolff also played down the significance of his much-discussed summer meeting with Max Verstappen off Sardinia.

The pair were spotted together on the Italian island on July 29 during the Formula 1 summer break, reigniting talk of a possible 2027 move. Earlier this summer, Wolff told media that Mercedes is "happy with the dynamic between Kimi and George," adding: "We've made great progress as a team. Adding another variable now wouldn't be right for our long-term development."

Russell's existing deal, confirmed last October after lengthy negotiations with Wolff, is understood to be a one-plus-one arrangement with clauses for a second season if certain circumstances are met.

Whether Wolff's confirmation to Österreich refers to the activation of those clauses or a separate agreement remains unclear, but the team principal's tone left little room for doubt about Russell's continued place at the Silver Arrows.