2025 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[venkyhere]

Didn't Toto say they are 100% in alignment about extension?

Maybe not aligned on the moolah $$.
George probably wants Hamilton level money, thinking that beating Lewis in 24 justifies it. The thing is he, along with the other super fast hopefuls, don't have the silverware or titles to command the big bucks.
Max and Lewis weren't getting much money before their first titles. The money in Max's case was based on performance, like wins prior to his first title.
If George doesn't get a win this year, I doubt he can argue for a substantial increase in salary.

Or they're just being patient with it.

Toto has been patiently waiting (since 2024 pre season) and praying for an implosion within Redbull that is strong enough to make Max want 'out'. There have been big infightings (some of which have spilled over into the media) but none of them led to the thing he wanted. He is still patiently waiting, stretching George's decision as close to the expiry date as possible.

[SB15]

Maybe not aligned on the moolah $$.
George probably wants Hamilton level money, thinking that beating Lewis in 24 justifies it. The thing is he, along with the other super fast hopefuls, don't have the silverware or titles to command the big bucks.
Max and Lewis weren't getting much money before their first titles. The money in Max's case was based on performance, like wins prior to his first title.
If George doesn't get a win this year, I doubt he can argue for a substantial increase in salary.

Or they're just being patient with it.

Toto has been patiently waiting (since 2024 pre season) and praying for an implosion within Redbull that is strong enough to make Max want 'out'. There have been big infightings (some of which have spilled over into the media) but none of them led to the thing he wanted. He is still patiently waiting, stretching George's decision as close to the expiry date as possible.

Or he already has a contract ready to go for George and they're probably going to get it done pretty soon. Leaving any doubt about his future and when it comes to Verstappen, he always said he's committed with Redbull until 2028.

Tough pill to swallow for news articles trying to seeing if it's possible, Max to Mercedes thing was over the minute they signed Antonelli.

And Toto is not stupid, he knows what would happen if he brings Verstappen to his team and all the added baggage he comes with it. Seeing the state of his team now, he would and the Mercedes F1 team would rather stick with what they currently got.

[Mansell89]

Canada not massively hot this weekend, car went well here last year - chance of a good result for Merc?

[Matt2725]

In theory, good chance of being the 2nd fastest team.

RBR has shown it doesn't like rear limited circuits which this one is. Ferrari still floundering with their suspension woes. Podium should be possible if not a P2 if George (most likely) can split the Maccas.
Probably another Piastri win though.

[MB_Racer]

Will GR leave the team??

According to an interview, GR said
that he confirmed it wasn’t 100% sure anymore he would stay!
(Source: insta Mercedesamgf1motorsport

Is Max therefore really coming to Mercedes ?

[Lasssept]

The Race
- Mercedes reverts to new suspension it parked after its debut

Mercedes is to reintroduce the latest version of its rear suspension for Formula 1's Canadian Grand Prix this weekend – having parked it for the last two races.

The team had originally brought the tweaked suspension to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last month as part of a series of upgrades, but it was dropped after that weekend amid some uncertainty about its performance impact.

[SB15]

The Race
- Mercedes reverts to new suspension it parked after its debut

Mercedes is to reintroduce the latest version of its rear suspension for Formula 1's Canadian Grand Prix this weekend – having parked it for the last two races.

The team had originally brought the tweaked suspension to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last month as part of a series of upgrades, but it was dropped after that weekend amid some uncertainty about its performance impact.

Will it be different but with a different pickup point and most importantly, will it work well?

That's a massive question because next year the suspension will play a massive part in tyre temp control vs the Mclaren's solution because the cars won't have inner brake drum cooling next year because the FIA recently banned the technology for 2026 onwards.

[ringo]

It's probably a cool weather suspension. They are going to remove it on hotter weekends.

[Matt2725]

Will GR leave the team??

According to an interview, GR said
that he confirmed it wasn’t 100% sure anymore he would stay!
(Source: insta Mercedesamgf1motorsport

Is Max therefore really coming to Mercedes ?

He just said nothing is certain, which is a fair statement.

He could get a better offer from another team or Merc indeed decide to go in another direction. I personally think they'd be stupid to drop George at this juncture and I also think Mercedes don't need the baggage that comes with having a Verstappen in the car.

Also it's just a fanpage, and quite obviously with a bias towards a certain former driver. That particular page will shape the narrative in a way that suits them.

[Lasssept]

George Russell: Mercedes F1 contract talks on hold as team has ‘bigger fish to fry’

“No real conversations, to be honest, because we’ve got bigger fish to fry at the moment, which is making our car go faster, he told media including Motorsport Week.

“I know I’m going to be in Formula 1 next year.”

“My intention and goal is to stay with Mercedes and I think that’s very much the intention of Toto as well, to be honest. There’s no real reason for either of us to deviate.”

When asked about the ongoing speculation surrounding Verstappen and his potential impact on Mercedes’ driver line-up, Russell remained unfazed.

“It’s understandable the likes of Max have always been on the radar because why wouldn’t it be on the radar?” he expanded.

“He’s one of the GOATs and I get that, but then it’s down to you to prove your worth and I feel I’ve done that time and time again over the course of seven years in F1 and my whole career, so I’ve got no concerns.”

link

[FittingMechanics]

In other words, Toto is waiting to see what happens with Verstappen.

[Lasssept]

[SB15]

In other words, Toto is waiting to see what happens with Verstappen.

No! Both parties are waiting for a good opportunity to get it done because they’re not focused on the contracts right now.

Toto made it very clear: he will resign his current lineup. Max made it very clear: he will continue with Redbull until 2028.

End of story!

[ringo]

I think George is in a good position. This sounds like Toto's relationship with Lewis. It's comfortable enough for them to both agree to discuss contract details later.
Max's direction is interesting. We really don't know what's in his mind. Is he eyeing a McLaren seat? Does he want to go to Mercedes who haven't show much in the way of progress? What about Aston. Lots of potential but no signs of progress.
Is the ford engine something he is not willing to risk waiting to see?
It's also a mistake to underestimate the Ford PU. Look at Cadilac in the Hyperpole for Lemans. American companies do have enough resources and international student engineers who grow into great assets for racing teams.

[Matt2725]

Positive Friday.

Looks like the race pace based on the figures I saw is fairly good too. I wouldn't count the chickens just yet but possibilities are there.