George Russell was questioned about his pending contract extension with Mercedes ahead of his home race at Silverstone. The Brit is still awaiting clarity about his future with the Silver Arrows, especially now that rumors about a possible move by Max Verstappen to Mercedes are once again rife. However, Russell remains unworried: ‘The chance that I won’t be driving for Mercedes next year is extremely small.’
Ever since George Russell‘s own revelation that Mercedes is indeed in talks with Max Verstappen, a potential move by the four-time world champion to the German racing team has been the topic of conversation. Russell’s own contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the year, and the Brit is still waiting for a contract extension.
However, the driver is not afraid that it will not come at all. “We are having a lot of discussions behind the scenes,” the Mercedes driver reveals at the press conference at Silverstone. “I know where the team’s loyalty lies. We have spoken a bit more with each other this week, but for me it doesn’t matter much. I am performing better than ever, and in the end it’s all about performing well.”
‘Toto has never let me down’
Russell is not bothered by the fact that the German racing team is also in talks with other drivers outside the team. “It’s normal for every team to think about the future. I don’t take it personally. From the beginning, I made it clear that I’m willing to be anyone’s teammate,” continues Russell, who fully trusts the promise of team boss Toto Wolff. “Toto has never let me down. He has always given me his word. I’m not worried about it. I want to stay with Mercedes in the future. I don’t care who my teammate will be.”
Although there is no official deadline for Russell’s contract extension, the Brit hopes it will be sorted out before the summer break. And if Mercedes decides not to continue with the driver, there’s a high chance that Russell will still be on the grid in 2026. “To all the teams that have approached me in the past, I have always said: ‘Look, I am loyal to Mercedes’. But there has never been a lack of interest. The chance that I won’t be with Mercedes next year is exceptionally small.”
