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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 63767, member: 636"] Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated contract negotiations with George Russell for the 2026 season had moved close to completion after the British driver secured pole position on Saturday at the Singapore Grand Prix. Russell sits fourth on the drivers' standings with 212 points, but his future with the team remains unclear beyond this year. Wolff told Sky Sports F1 the parties reached an agreement after Mercedes failed to sign Max Verstappen earlier this season. Russell acknowledged the unique situation created by Mercedes serving as both his employer and management company. The 26-year-old driver admitted that the arrangement had created conflicting interests over the past six months, and he had faced risks due to the uncertainty. Russell won the Canadian Grand Prix and earned seven podium finishes this season, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli joined the team as his rookie teammate. [/QUOTE]