George Russell “at peace” with future as Mercedes focus on results after Max Verstappen talks

George Russell has revealed that he is no longer concerned about his Mercedes contract and that Toto Wolff's comments in the media were aimed at the public rather than the team internally.

Although Russell and his team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli have shown strong performances in the first 12 races of the season, positioning the Brackley outfit third in the constructors' standings, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff confirmed that he was in talks with Max Verstappen considering the performance of Red Bull.

Wolff previously confirmed that the discussions with the four-time champion were unlikely to come to fruition and has this week claimed that the priority for the team is to continue with Russell and Antonelli.

"I think it is my best season but probably because this is probably the best car that I've had, so you're always dependent on that," Russell explained to Motorsport.com and other media in Belgium. "I'm not that frustrated about my future. I don't really think about it any more because I know it all comes down to performance and results.
 
"That's always the case. That's the good thing about a sport like Formula 1. So, everything will work itself out in due course."

The British driver confirmed that he has not held talks with any other teams as he is managed by Mercedes.

"The conversation has been ongoing, but not directly with me as such," Russell continued. "There's a lot more hype around it externally than there is internally. 

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images

"The truth is, I think about it on a Thursday because you guys asked me questions, but these past few months have sort of allowed me to think how I feel about a scenario like this and you can choose to stress about it, you can choose to try and secure your future or you can choose not to worry about it and focus on the things such as performance which secures your future for you.
 
"So right now, my view, these two weeks off have been great to reset psychologically and mentally. I feel happier probably now than I was in the months gone by and at peace with everything that's going on and I'm just thinking about race by race and I'm in no rush to secure my future. It'll be what it'll be."

He further elaborated on the "unique situation" of having Mercedes as his management, but insisted that he still has "no reason to be concerned".

"I've always had my best interests at heart and we'll find out what happens in the future, but I still have no reason to be concerned about my future with Mercedes and ultimately what's the worst that's going to happen. If I'm performing, I'll still be in Formula 1 and I will be somewhere competitive.
 
"So from my side, it just makes you think again. It just comes down to yourself. You're in control of your own destiny.
 
"It's a bit of a unique situation that I'm managed by the team who I'm racing for, but it's the same for Kimi as well and that's the position we find ourselves in."

Russell also argued that Wolff's comments in the media this week, confirming that he and Antonelli are the priority for 2026, were for the media and public, 'not for him.'

"That was for you, not for me. What happens behind closed doors is behind closed doors. Nothing from my side has changed. I wasn't even aware of this statement until one hour ago. So it's not something I'm looking for.
 
"It's not something I really care about. And as I said, these last months of going from a position where I was stressed about my future and I was concerned about it and I've continued to perform, I just think it's in my own hands. So there's no point in losing sleep about it. Mercedes need the best drivers in their race car, and I believe that I'm right up there, and I don't think there's many people doing a better job than I am. So I need them and they need me and that's how it goes in racing."

Similarly to Russell, Antonelli has confirmed that he has "never been worried" about his future with the Brackley outfit. The Italian driver joined Mercedes for his rookie Formula 1 season in 2025, taking the seat left behind by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton when he moved to Ferrari.

Antonelli, whose current deal also expires at the end of 2025, addressed his contract negotiations during the Belgian Grand Prix press conference. 

"I've never been worried to be honest, I know the situation, I know what the team wants, especially looking at the future. I think also Toto has been clear recently, so that's good to see. But the team is working well, the line-up is good, me and George are working well together and we're trying to work together to also help the team to find performances again.

"We're doing a pretty good job and also there's a really good atmosphere in the team. It's always nice to go back to the factory and see how much the team is pushing, not only for this year, but as well ahead of next year.

"This means as well that there's a good dynamic in the team, but I'm sure the team knows what's best for next year, and I'm pretty confident that I'm in a good position."