George Russell is adamant he will be a Mercedes driver next year, quashing rumours of a possible switch to the team for Max Verstappen from Formula 1 rivals, Red Bull.
The four-time World Champion was at the centre of constant speculation last year that he was holding talks with Team Principal Toto Wolff about a potential switch to the Silver Arrows, which had been initially revealed by Russell himself at last year’s Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, or indeed F1 in general, has been the topic of speculation in recent months, but has recently appeared more willing to remain in the sport, due to the gradual return to more ICE power.
The paddock at the Red Bull Ring this year has seen a further bombshell with the news that Verstappen has reportedly held secret talks with McLaren about a potential move that would see Oscar Piastri move the other way.
Prior to this story breaking, Russell, speaking to select British media, was hesitant about any formal confirmation of his continuity with the Brackley-based squad, but confirmed it nonetheless.
“[There is] no announcement this weekend,” he said, as per The Independent. “But I’ll be racing here [with Mercedes] next year. One hundred per cent.
“It hasn’t even been discussed [with the team and Wolff]. We don’t need to discuss it. It’s not even a question mark. I don’t want to go into any more detail, but I will be here next year and that’s the fact of it.”
Russell has no doubt suffered a shaky start to the season, falling behind teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and, latterly, Lewis Hamilton, in the Drivers’ standings.
But a lessening of faith in his abilities would be unfounded, and it appears that the German marque has not had such a lessening, and will be willing to allow him and Antonelli to continue their potential intra-team battle.
READ MORE – Kimi Antonelli leads a Mercedes 1-2 early at the Formula 1 Austrian GP
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