Russell shuts down rumours of leaving Mercedes

George Russell has firmly shut down speculation about his future at Mercedes, insisting that the chances of him leaving the team in 2026 are exceptionally low. 

The 27-year-old British driver, whose current contract expires at the end of this season, addressed the swirling rumors ahead of the British Grand Prix, making it clear that his loyalty remains with the team despite rumours of ongoing talks between Mercedes and four-time World Champion Max Verstappen.

Russell made it clear that he is not worried about losing his seat and welcomes the idea of partnering with Verstappen or any other driver. 

He said: “Every team has two seats available and it’s normal that every team is considering what the future holds, and I don’t take that personally because I made it clear from the beginning that I’m happy to be team-mates with anybody.

“I want to continue with Mercedes into the future. The fact is, Toto has never let me down. He’s always given me his word, but he’s also got to do what’s right for his team, which includes me, but it also includes the thousands of people who work for Mercedes”

On the question of landing a seat if he leaves Mercedes, Russell explained that he had been approached in the past but is choosing to stick with Mercedes: “There hasn’t been a lack of interest, let’s say. But I’ve been focused on my side. I am loyal to Mercedes. At the end of the day, everything will work itself out, and the likelihood that I’m not at Mercedes next year, I think is exceptionally low.”

The British driver also revealed that there are no new updates on his contract talks and that he has not engaged in discussions with any rival teams. He stressed that his focus remains solely on driving and performing at the highest level. 

Russell acknowledged that contract negotiations can be complex, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s situation, but reiterated that he is confident a resolution will be reached soon.

He expects a decision on his contract to come before Formula 1’s summer break in August, though he noted there is no strict deadline.