P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has made it clear he isn’t “going anywhere” at Mercedes, shutting down speculation over a potential exit and confirming he’s held no talks with other Formula 1 teams.
George Russell has affirmed his commitment to staying at Mercedes, dispelling rumors of a potential departure and clarifying that he has not engaged in discussions with other Formula 1 teams. The controversy surrounding Russell and Max Verstappen arose after Russell disclosed that Mercedes had initiated talks with the Dutch driver, sparking criticism from Red Bull’s Christian Horner and dismissing it as a strategic move by Russell to reinforce his bargaining position with Mercedes. Despite ongoing speculation about signing Verstappen, Mercedes has yet to make a final decision on the contracts of both Russell and his rookie teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Russell remains unfazed by the rumors and contract negotiations, expressing his desire to continue with Mercedes and stating his trust in team principal Toto Wolff’s decision-making process. Additionally, Russell emphasized his belief in his own performance and the team’s loyalty, asserting that his focus remains on driving and delivering strong results on the track.
