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George Russell remains out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the season, as it continues to chase Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
George Russell has stated that amid speculation about his future at Mercedes, he will remain focused on driving. Mercedes is rumored to be interested in bringing Max Verstappen to the team for the 2026 season, with Toto Wolff being a long-time admirer of the Dutch driver. Despite both Russell and his teammate Kimi Antonelli being out of contract, Russell is seen as the most likely to make room for Verstappen if a deal is reached. Russell, who has had a strong start to the season with five podiums and one win, addressed the situation by emphasizing his focus on what he can control. He mentioned having developed “thick skin” and not paying much attention to rumors, stating that performance on the track is what matters most to him. Russell emphasized the importance of focusing on driving and allowing results to speak for themselves in determining his future with Mercedes.
