George Russell reveals wild but unsuccessful Mercedes F1 contract request

George Russell has revealed a rather extravagant request in his Mercedes Formula 1 contract negotiations.

The British driver secured a contract extension with the Brackley outfit towards the end of the 2025 season, which will see him continue with the team alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli in 2026.

The 27-year-old is keen to start adding F1 cars to his personal collection, which features his "dream car" Mercedes-AMG One, so you can't blame him for trying to get this incorporated into his new contract.

"I would love to collect my own Formula 1 cars," Russell said, according to Auto Motor und Sport. "But because of the cost cap, we only produce three or four monocoques per year. 20 years ago, when unlimited testing was still allowed, each team built 15 to 20 chassis. These were then rotated regularly."

Unfortunately for the Mercedes driver, his efforts were unsuccessful.

"I tried to get a Formula 1 car during my last contract negotiations. But unfortunately, I wasn't successful.

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

"I would like to see the teams find a way to produce monocoques outside of the budget cap," he added. "We have enough of the other parts. Each driver has five engines per year.

"I think Mercedes produces a total of 60 engines for each season. We also have plenty of rear wings – for high, medium, and low downforce. There are also enough front wings and underbodies. We have at least ten sets of all the other parts. But there are only three or four monocoques. Maybe I should talk to the FIA ​​about that."

Russell finished the 2025 F1 season fourth in the drivers' standings behind championship winner Lando Norris and rivals Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. With the new regulations coming in 2026, Russell will be hoping to make the most of the reset.