George Russell will be the driver for the "Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1" team in the 2026 season, however a possible move of Max Verstappen to Mercedes remains possible.

George Russell has succeeded, after months of waiting, in obtaining an extension of his contract with Mercedes, alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli, for the 2026 season. However, the pressure remains as speculation about a transfer of Max Verstappen to Mercedes persists. There is talk of a possible "exit clause" in Russell's contract, which could be activated if Verstappen decides to join the team.

Mercedes has not provided clear details about the duration of the contract, which fuels rumors. Toto Wolff, the team principal, stated that Mercedes should try to bring Verstappen in, and Russell could be "blocked" until 2027, but he could activate the exit clause in the event of an offer from Max. Russell also has other options, including Aston Martin and Ferrari, which increases his market value. Thus, even without acquiring him, Verstappen continues to influence movements in Formula 1.