Latest news with #MercedesAMGPetronasF1Team
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
George Russell Remains Unconcerned Despite No Confirmation on 2026 F1 Seat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mercedes Formula One driver George Russell is unconcerned about not having a confirmed F1 seat for next year after his recent win at the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite his current Mercedes contract expiring at the end of 2025, the Briton is confident about racing next year. Russell secured pole position for the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and dominated the entire race until the chequered flag came out. He is currently placed fourth in the Drivers' Standings with 136 points, 19 points adrift of Max Verstappen in third. While the Montreal race last weekend was his first win of the 2025 season, Russell showcased an excellent performance last year and proved what he can do with a quick car. Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in the Drivers Press Conference during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in the Drivers Press Conference during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, question about his Mercedes contract extension arrived amid rumors of Aston Martin reaching out to him for a potential seat in 2026. When asked about the delay in Mercedes' contract extension after the Canadian GP, Russell said: "It doesn't hurt! It doesn't hurt at all. But, you know, as I've said many times, I'm not concerned at all about next year. I know I'm going to be on the grid next year. "I feel that I'm driving better than ever. I still feel I've got more in the tank. I feel ready to fight for a World Championship, and I think results like today, results like Bahrain this year when we got half a chance of a good result, we're there to take it. "And I'm pretty relaxed. Just enjoying the moment, enjoying my racing, and just taking it week by week." Russell hinted that he has been approached by other teams, but confirmed his loyalty to Mercedes, despite reports of the team's interest in Max Verstappen. He added: "No. I'm not talking with anybody else and any teams who have shown interest. "I have been quite open to say my intentions are to stay with Mercedes. That's always been clear. And I am loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this chance to get into Formula 1. "There haven't been any hard feelings with any of the talks that have been going around, especially around Max. Because, like I said on numerous times, why wouldn't teams be interested in Max? "If every driver had no contracts for next year, Max would be number one for every single team. And that's understandable. But ultimately, there are two seats for every race team. "I knew if I continue to perform as I'm doing, my position would not be under threat whatsoever. So, I feel in a good place. "We're in no rush to do contract negotiations. We want to win together. Especially Kimi and I being team-mates now – we're getting a result like today, both junior drivers from Mercedes, we're both doing the job in terms of performance. Why would you want to change something that's working?" Newsweek Sports reported Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff's comments from the race weekend in Canada, who confirmed that a contract extension is coming for Russell. However, it remains to be seen when both parties choose to sign the new deal.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
George Russell on Aston Martin's Radar Despite Pledging Loyalty to Mercedes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Aston Martin is reportedly considering George Russell as a lead driver for its 2026 campaign, the year when Formula One enters a new era of regulations. The report arrives amid Mercedes' delay in signing a contract extension with Russell, which expires at the end of 2025. Russell has been gaining considerable attention in the paddock, especially after he won the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, marking his first win of the season. The Briton started the Montreal race on pole and bravely defended his position from Max Verstappen, who closed in towards the end as the pair made their way through trailing traffic. Eventually, Russell crossed the finish line first under the yellow flag. According to a report by Russell is on Aston Martin's radar. The Silverstone outfit views him as a lead driver for next year, when F1 will experience a major reset with new regulations and cars powered by an equal ratio of internal combustion and electric power. What makes the matter more intriguing is that Mercedes has yet to extend his contract. Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team lifts the winners trophy on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in... Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team lifts the winners trophy on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. MoreWhile the delay for the contract extension is yet to be known, Russell was asked if he was talking to any other team. He said: "No, I'm not talking with anybody else and any teams who have shown interest. I have been quite open to say my intentions are to stay with Mercedes. That's always been clear. "And, you know, I am loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this chance to get into Formula 1. There haven't been any hard feelings with any of the talks that have been going around, you know, especially around Max because, like I said numerous times, why wouldn't teams be interested in Max if everybody could, if every driver had a clean, no contracts for next year, Max would be the number one for every single team. And that's understandable. "But ultimately there are two seats for every race team and I knew if I continued to perform as I'm doing, my position would not be under threat whatsoever. So, I feel in a good place. We're in no rush to do contract negotiations." Newsweek Sports reported Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff's comments on Russell's contract extension, which is expected to materialize soon. He said: "He's giving us all the reasons to do that quickly. We know what he's capable of doing and he has been leading this team now since a while. He has the pace and the right attitude. "He's been a Mercedes junior [for] such a long time, and we are on track in doing what we've always planned." He added: "The ambience in the team is great and we've agreed on some kind of timeline when we want to settle these things, with triple headers getting out of the way and one race after the other in June and July but we're going to get there."
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Red Bull Lodges Complaint Against George Russell Jeopardizing Canadian GP win
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Red Bull Racing issued a protest against Mercedes' George Russell, who won the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday. The FIA announced the protest through a document, summoning both Russell and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen to the stewards. According to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, the team's complaint is due to erratic driving behind the safety car and not leaving an appropriate gap. "Two protests that we've put to the stewards, that we've asked them to have a look at. Firstly, relating to the erratic driving behind the safety car, where George very heavily braked, obviously looking looking in his mirror for Max." Horner said after the race. "The second one is very clearly the distance that was left behind the safety car that was well in excess - I think at least three times in excess - of the permitted distance. So it's within our right to obviously protest that. So we've lodged the protest." 1. Christian Horner: "Two protests that we've put to the stewards, that we've asked them to have a look at. Firstly, relating to the erratic driving behind the safety car, where George very heavily braked, obviously looking looking in his mirror for Max." — Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) June 15, 2025 At the end of the race, a safety car was sent out due to McLaren driver Lando Norris crashing out of the race, leaving a ton of debris on the track. Russell was in the lead of the race, though during one of the laps under safety car conditions, he ended up braking, prompting Verstappen to go past him for a split second. The rules state that there can be no overtaking under the safety car. Some viewers interpreted the move as an attempt from Russell to get a penalty on Verstappen, braking randomly so the Red Bull goes past and gets an infringement. Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing congratulates Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of... Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing congratulates Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec More Photo byThe theory stems from the fact that Verstappen is only one penalty point away from getting a race ban. Verstappen played down the incident after the race. "I think we were both trying to say to the safety car to speed up because he was only going 120km/h [75mph] but I think maybe the safety car is doing that to give a bit more time to maybe get a race lap in," Verstappen told reporters. "Then I think George was trying to speed up to the safety car, I was trying to do the same. "Once he tried to speed up the safety car he then backed out and it caused a bit of confusion." What happened with: 'sportsmanship, fair racing, kids watching, good example for young drivers'? — Marc🏎 (@433_marc) June 15, 2025 Canadian Grand Prix Race Results
