As the F1 paddock sets up at the British GP for one of the most anticipated races of the season, George Russell is once again under the spotlight—not just as a home favourite, but as the centrepiece of ongoing speculation about Mercedes’ 2025 driver line-up.
Yet, in the face of persistent questioning over his future, the British driver remains composed, focused, and firm in his belief that he’s in the right place.
Where the focus lies
During the press conference ahead of the F1 British GP, Russell was immediately asked if there had been any updates regarding a new contract with Mercedes.
“No messing around there. No updates since the last time we spoke,” he said. “Honestly, as I’ve said for the majority of this season, I’m just focused on the driving. Of course, this weekend’s a huge weekend for us. For me, my home race is my favourite race of the year, and that’s where I want to give all my focus and attention to try and win this Grand Prix.”
Russell remains optimistic about Mercedes’ chances at Silverstone, recalling last year’s strong performance: “We were on pole here last year. We were leading the first third of the race. Temperatures look slightly more favourable for us this weekend. Not as favourable as they were 12 months ago, but much more compared to Austria last week. And we know clearly that’s where we struggled. So, yeah, just excited for that.”
Loyalty and performance
When asked whether the prolonged contract saga might reflect on Mercedes’ loyalty to him, Russell dismissed any concerns.
“There’s a lot of conversations behind the scenes that are not public. And I know where their loyalty lies. It doesn’t need to be public. It doesn’t need to be broadcast to everybody,” he said. “We’ve obviously spoken a little bit more over the last week because there’s numerous news articles and whatnot out there. But in all honesty, it doesn’t really change anything my side because, as I’ve said before, I feel I’m performing better than ever. And it’s as simple as that really. Performance speaks for everything.”
And when directly asked if he had been speaking to other teams, the response was firm and straightforward: “No.”
Blocking out the noise
For Russell, external noise and speculation are of little interest.
“I feel quite thick-skinned, and I don’t really read much news or listen to rumours,” he told the media. “I just focus on the facts, and I focus on the driving.“
Russell added: “I said it at the beginning of this year, you can have a contract, but if you don’t perform, you’re out. And if you do perform, everything sorts itself out. So, yeah, from my side, not really much more to add really and just focus on the driving as I’ve been for this whole year.”
A future with Mercedes?
While Mercedes is understood to be weighing its options—amid whispers that other drivers, such as Max Verstappen, are being considered—Russell remains unfazed.
“Every team has two seats available, and it’s normal that every team is considering what the future holds. And I don’t take that personally because I made it clear from the beginning. I’m happy to be team-mates with anybody,” he said. “So of course there’s lots of conversations, lots of rumours, and all of these are being pointed towards me. But from my side, that isn’t really going to be the case.”
He then reaffirmed his commitment: “I want to continue with Mercedes into the future. The fact is, Toto has never let me down. He’s always given me his word, but he’s also got to do what’s right for his team, which includes me. But it also includes the thousands of people who work for Mercedes.
“For me, it’s nothing to worry about because I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere. And whoever my teammate will be, it doesn’t concern me either. So, just focus on the driving.”
Long-term vision with Mercedes
Asked whether Mercedes still offers the best route to a world championship, Russell answered confidently: “I think so. I think going into next year, there are so many unknowns. So many unknowns with the car, so many unknowns with the engine, with the fuel. And I think for us, from both sides, our best opportunity of winning is to continue as we are,” he said.
“We’re performing, I feel, at the racetrack at a very high level. I feel I’m performing at a high level. I’ve been working with the team now. Will be going into my fifth year next year. And I think for all of us — you know, Lando, Charles, drivers who have been with their teams for so long — when you’re going into such a fresh start, I think consistency gives you your best shot.”
When’s the deadline?
With the summer break approaching, the natural question is whether a deadline has been discussed.
“There’s not really any deadline in place, to be honest. Obviously, naturally, you try and have stuff done before the summer break,” he said.
“From my side, Mercedes manage me as well, so it’s not really a deadline in my hands as such. So, yeah, not really. And I’m not even thinking about it right now. Obviously, there’s a lot of questions about it. But the more we speak, the less we speak about it, nothing really changes.”
Still, he hinted that developments might be imminent: “It’ll happen when the time is right. I expect probably in the next couple of weeks, probably something to happen. But, yeah, we’ll need to wait and see.”
Confident in Plan B
Should the unexpected happen, and Mercedes not retain him for 2025, Russell was clear: he would land on his feet.
“Pretty confident, to be honest,” he said. “Because I think what I’ve proven so far is plenty enough and not really much more to say. Any teams who did reach out in the past, I said, look, I am loyal to Mercedes. That’s where my future lies. Ultimately, Mercedes are my managers, so it has to be dealt through Mercedes in the first place.”
And, crucially, he added: “There hasn’t been a lack of interest, let’s say. But I’ve been focused on my side. I am loyal to Mercedes. At the end of the day, everything will work itself out. And the likelihood I’m not at Mercedes next year, I think is exceptionally low.”
