It has been reported by Sky Sports that George Russell’s contract with Mercedes has been extended to the end of 2025, following a “contractual option” the Brackley-based team had.
Russell joined the Silver Arrows from Williams at the start of 2022 after replacing Valtteri Bottas, on what was dubbed a as “long-term deal”.
He shocked the paddock in his maiden Mercedes campaign after defeating team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship, something which wasn’t expected to happen.
Russell became just the third team-mate of Hamilton’s to finish above him in the standings, joining the likes of Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg.
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As well as that, the 25-year-old claimed Mercedes’ only pole position and victory last year, in what was a turbulent season for the Germans.
Russell somehow extracted more performance than realistically possible from the W13, which became infamous for its aggressive porpoising.
2023 has so far been a different story for Russell, as after seven races he finds himself 22 points behind Hamilton in the championship.
Hamilton has been better than Russell in the majority of races this season, whilst the former Williams driver has tended to be stronger in qualifying.
Nevertheless, the Briton claimed his first podium of the season last weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, to secure the team’s first double podium since his victory at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Russell finished third behind Hamilton in second, despite having started 12th at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
It was a remarkable recovery drive by Russell, with it being the kind of performance which made Mercedes want to take up their option to extend his deal to the end of 2025.
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“Mercedes have taken up the contractual option they already had on him, and they have extended that to the end of the 2025 season,” Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater said on Monday.
“There’s been no formal announcement on this from Mercedes because it was already within their power to enforce this option they had, but that’s what they’ve gone and done.
“I learned about from some senior figures in the sport yesterday, and I have been able to confirm that it has actually happened.”