Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that one of the key factors behind George Russell's contract delays was the Formula One racer's transition from junior to lead driver.

Russell's future at Mercedes looked to be up in the air during the summer break after the team's reported talks with Max Verstappen caused tensions within the Silver Arrows. 

Wolff later admitted he regretted the way his negotiations with Verstappen impacted the team, but was relieved to see Russell continue his F1 career with the Milton Keynes-based squad.

Russell is fourth in the Drivers' Championship this season, 99 points behind leader Lando Norris, after winning two races so far in 2025 and finishing on the podium a further six times.

When Russell joined Mercedes, he was largely seen as the junior driver to Lewis Hamilton, who has since moved to Ferrari.

But with Kimi Antonelli now partnering Russell, Wolff believes the British driver's new role warranted a closer look at his contract during negotiations.

"If you sign a contract or a renewal of a contract with a driver that has progressed from being on a more junior side to the lead driver, who has shown what he is able to do, you just need to readjust, you just need to recalibrate certain terms," said Wolff.

When George went undercover in the stands for FP1 in Mexico  pic.twitter.com/s5nSgWVRhm

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) October 28, 2025

"This is what we did, and that's done now.

"We wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy."

Russell will hope to end his 2025 campaign on a high note, with a trip to Brazil next on the schedule.

That will be followed by grand prix at Las Vegas, a race Russell won in 2024, as well as Qatar and Abu Dhabi to round off the season.