George Russell says Formula One career is in his own hands as new 2027 deal does not guarantee him a seat

George Russell knows that his Formula One career is in his own hands.

A recent interview with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 team driver revealed a lot.

The English driver discussed his new contract with the team.

And he made the admission that his 2027 deal does not guarantee him a seat.

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George Russell discusses new contract – and 2027

George Russell is one of the most popular drivers on the Formula One grid.

And the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 team driver is also one of the most honest.

He has always been renowned for his honesty and transparency.

And that honesty was recently on full display during an interview.

Earlier this year, Mercedes confirmed that Russell had signed a new contract.

The team also confirmed that the deal in question would run through to 2026.

However, no further details were offered beyond that.

Speaking to UK newspaper, The Telegraph, Russell discussed his new contract with the team.

“It is something I haven’t actually said publicly, but the deal is, if I’m performing [next year], we have a specific clause that if I reach [a certain target], we will automatically renew for 2027″, Russell said.

“So my seat for 2027 is in my hands.

“So I’m not being strung along here. We’re not going to be in the same position as we were six months ago. If I perform, and I don’t want to go into details, but if I perform, then 100 percent I’ll be staying.”

Performance clauses are very common features of contracts in motorsport.

They can often impose automatic renewals or early splits on either side.

Oracle Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen was the most recent example of this.

Verstappen’s long-term contract reportedly gave him the option of leaving the team earlier this year.

According to reports, Verstappen would be able to leave if he were third or lower in the championship.

Could Russell and Verstappen still end up as a team?

Mercedes team principal and co-owner Toto Wolff was long rumoured to be courting Verstappen before agreeing a new deal with Russell.

Ultimately, Dutch star Verstappen confirmed his intention to stay with Red Bull for 2026.

Mercedes, therefore, confirmed that it would retain the same driver line-up for 2026.

Interestingly, the Mercedes driver believes that things are in his favor.

 “Everything works out for the best,” the Mercedes driver said.

“I actually wanted to sign the deal back in October 2024, but the deal I got today is substantially better than what I would have got had I signed it then.”

“So, yeah, sometimes I think you just have to trust in your ability, and I feel I’m only getting stronger.”

Russell’s new deal means that the Formula One landscape has just gotten a lot clearer.

It also means that any potential Mercedes pursuit of Max Verstappen can only happen one way.

If Russell secures a seat in 2027, the only path for a Verstappen/Mercedes partnership would be to replace Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Despite his rivalry with Verstappen, George Russell believes that the pair could work well together.

“You don’t need to be best mates as team mates,” said the Englishman.

“Senna and Prost weren’t good friends, and they still finished one-two.”

“Obviously, Lewis and Fernando [Alonso] is a notable exception.”

“So, yeah, Max is an incredible driver. There’s no denying that. But that’s why I would relish going up against him. We all believe we’re the best.”

If he continues on his current trajectory, it is hard to see how George Russell would not continue to be part of the Mercedes fold in Formula One for 2027.