Where George Russell stands amid talk of Max Verstappen’s shock Mercedes move

Mercedes racer George Russell has no contract for 2026 and rumours are now swirling that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen may be on the verge of a switch to the Silver Arrows

George Russell has given his firmest indication yet that his Formula 1 future lies with Mercedes, labelling his chances of leaving in 2026 "exceptionally low."

Russell's future has been up for debate as the Briton has yet to ink a new deal, and public chatter intensified after he revealed last weekend in Austria that team boss Toto Wolff has been having conversations with Max Verstappen's entourage.

Russell confident he wouldn't be the one making way

Neither Russell nor rookie team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli are confirmed for 2026, but both are long-term projects that the team is excited about. So, any move for Verstappen would give the team a bit of a driver headache, but Russell fancies his chances of staying where he is regardless.

“I mean, every team has two seats available and it's normal that every team is considering what the future holds," he said. "And I don't take that personally, because I made it clear from the beginning, I'm happy to be team-mates with anybody. So, of course, there's lots of conversations, lots of rumours, and all of these are being pointed towards me, but from my side, that isn't really going to be the case.

"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. For me, it's nothing to worry about, because I don't think I'll be going anywhere. And whoever my team-mate will be, it doesn't concern me either.

"The likelihood I'm not at Mercedes next year, I think, is exceptionally low.”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

Is Russell talking to other teams?

Russell made clear he hasn't spoken to other teams yet as he is committed to staying with Mercedes. But that doesn't mean the 27-year-old isn't of interest, as Red Bull clearly would have a hole to fill and there may be other options elsewhere.

Asked if he had spoken to other teams yet, he replied with a simple "no", and he was confident his F1 career would be in a good place no matter what. "Yeah, pretty confident, to be honest. Because I think what I've proven so far has been plenty enough. Any teams who did reach out in the past, I said, look, I am loyal to Mercedes, that's where my future lies. And ultimately, Mercedes are my managers, so it has to be dealt through Mercedes in the first place.

"There hasn't been a lack of interest, let's say. But I've been focused on my side. I am loyal to Mercedes. So, at the end of the day, everything will work itself out. I feel I'm performing better than ever, and performance speaks for everything.”

Mercedes the place to be for 2026 as summer decision looms

Russell wouldn't be drawn on a concrete deadline, but last week Wolff already hinted at a resolution around the summer break. “There's not really any deadline in place, to be honest," Russell added. "Naturally, you try and have stuff done before the summer break. From my side, Mercedes manages me as well, so it's not really a deadline in my hands as such. I expect probably in the next couple of weeks something to happen."