George Russell has expressed confidence regarding his future with Mercedes, stating that the chances of him not being with the team next season are “exceptionally low.” The British driver emphasized his loyalty to the Silver Arrows, asserting that he is not currently in discussions with other teams. He remarked, “I know where their loyalty lies,” further underlining his commitment to his current team amid ongoing speculation about his future.
Russell's current contract with Mercedes runs until the end of 2025, but rumors have persisted about his future, particularly given his recent comments regarding potential conversations between Mercedes and Max Verstappen. When asked about any new contract developments ahead of the upcoming British Grand Prix, Russell stated, “No updates since the last time we spoke. Honestly, as I’ve said for the majority of this season, I’m just focused on the driving.”
With the British Grand Prix being his home race, Russell expressed his desire to concentrate fully on the event. “It’s a huge weekend for us, for me my home race – it’s my favourite race of the year, and that’s where I want to give all my focus and attention, to try to win this Grand Prix,” he said. He noted the improved temperatures compared to recent races, which he hopes will benefit his performance.
When pressed about whether he would question the team’s loyalty if the contract discussions lingered, Russell assured, “There’s a lot of conversations behind the scenes that are not public. I know where their loyalty lies and it doesn’t need to be public.” He acknowledged the recent media buzz surrounding his future, but emphasized that it hasn’t altered his approach or performance. “I feel I’m performing better than ever, and it’s as simple as that really. Performance speaks for everything.”
Russell was also asked if he was in talks with other teams, to which he firmly replied, “No.” He reflected on the natural dynamics of team discussions in Formula 1, stating, “Every team has two seats available, and it’s normal that every team is considering what the future holds.” He reiterated his commitment to Mercedes, adding that he is open to being teammates with anyone.
Regarding his confidence in a contingency plan should he not remain with Mercedes in 2026, Russell stated, “Pretty confident, to be honest, because I think what I’ve proven so far has been plenty enough.” He clarified that while there has been interest from other teams in the past, his loyalty remains with Mercedes. “I’ve been focusing on my side, I am loyal to Mercedes and everything will work itself out. The likelihood I’m not at Mercedes next year I think is exceptionally low.”
While Russell indicated there is no specific deadline regarding his contract situation, he hinted that developments might occur soon. “There’s not really any deadline in place, to be honest,” he explained. “Naturally, you try and have stuff done before the summer break. From my side, Mercedes manage me as well, so it’s not really a deadline in my hands as such.”
Russell concluded by suggesting that while there are many questions surrounding his future, he is focused on his performance, stating, “It will happen when the time is right. I expect in the next couple of weeks probably something will happen, but we’ll need to wait and see.”
