'Russell stays with Mercedes until 2025, gets team's confidence'

Mercedes is reportedly extending George Russell's contract until the end of the 2025 Formula One season while negotiations with Lewis Hamilton are still ongoing, Motorsport.com reported. This confirms that they are relying on him after Lewis Hamilton held the role of number one driver for years.

Although it has not been officially announced by the team, as it is also not an extension, George Russell will reportedly stay with the Mercedes team until the end of the 2025 season.

However, little is known about the seven-time world champion's extension. Despite denying rumours of a possible switch to Ferrari, details are being finalised for the sixth deal in history between the Briton and the German team. Hamilton has been with Mercedes since 2013.

For Hamilton, it would be something of a "last dance", in a career in which he has won it all and become one of the most distinctive drivers in Grand Prix history.