George Russell has recognised Mercedes’ talks with Max Verstappen wouldn’t have been restricted to contact about a move to the team in Formula 1 for 2026 alone.
Russell signing a new Mercedes deal is considered a waiting game as boss Toto Wolff claimed last weekend that he will be with the team beyond the current season.
There had been speculation surrounding the Briton’s prospects since he dropped the bombshell that Mercedes had engaged in renewed discussions with Verstappen.
Wolff has long harboured an interest in the Dutchman, who confirmed in the lead-up to the Hungarian Grand Prix that he will be racing for Red Bull once more in 2026.
But while that has ceased the rumours, Wolff has divulged that his conversations with Verstappen’s camp also revolved around sounding out his long-term intentions.
“I think he’s [Russell] triggered the whole media avalanche,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1.
“I’m sometimes maybe naive, but I try to be transparent with the drivers.
“And I said to him, ‘Listen, I have the obligation of exploring what Max is doing to do in the next few years.’
“I think he came out with it wanting to show, ‘I’m aware of what’s going on, there’s nothing happening behind my back.’ And I’m fine with that.”
Russell acknowledges Mercedes planning ahead
The consensus throughout the saga had been that Verstappen would remain at Red Bull with a view to assessing how the grid has shaken out with new rules in 2026.
Mercedes would be inclined to ensure that it has a vacancy available for 2027, which could have an impact on the terms that Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli agree.
Russell, who has asserted that a contract must suit both parties, is under no illusion that Mercedes will be among the teams planning ahead when it comes to drivers.
“The fact is most teams are talking with most drivers to worry about their future,” Russell told media including Motorsport Week.
“It’s not just the short-term future of next year, there’s conversations already going on for drivers of ’27, ’28, ’29.”
The Briton has recounted how Mercedes had mapped out that he would be integrated into the side’s line-up from 2022 when it agreed to loan him to Williams in 2019.
“People have always looked many years in advance,” he highlighted.
“When I was at Williams, when I signed in 2019, 2022 was always the projection for me to join the team [Mercedes], if that makes sense.
“So, the situation we find ourselves in now, I don’t think it’s abnormal.”
Russell at ease over Mercedes contractual saga
Meanwhile, Russell, who is revelling in his strongest campaign to date with six podiums in 14 rounds, expressed that he has never been worried about losing his drive.
“From my side, there is no tension because there’s two cars to every team,” he added.
“I’m performing the best I’ve ever performed. I have the majority of the points for the team. So, if you look at the facts, you would argue my job is safe.
“So, that’s why I’m not concerned at all, because if I stop performing [then] maybe I need to be concerned.
“But I need to be more concerned about my performance, not my future.”
READ MORE – Why there is no ‘fixed timeline’ for Mercedes to finalise 2026 F1 driver line-up
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