George Russell has admitted that several rival Formula 1 teams have sounded him out about a seat for the 2026 season, yet the Briton says his first choice is still to extend his stay at Mercedes. Fresh from his Canadian Grand Prix victory, Russell explained that whenever overtures arrive he replies with the same message: Mercedes comes first.
The 27-year-old argues that loyalty matters—after all, the Silver Arrows brought him into F1 and backed him through his formative years. He therefore feels no need to shop around while he and the team are enjoying podium-contending form. “If I keep performing, my seat shouldn’t be under threat,” he told reporters, echoing the confidence gained from five podiums in the opening ten races.
Even so, the marketplace is alive with gossip. With Russell’s contract up at the end of 2025 and persistent rumours that Mercedes is still courting Max Verstappen, observers note that Aston Martin and other squads have at least tested the waters. German outlet Auto Motor und Sport reports that Russell has politely rebuffed those approaches, reiterating his determination to remain in silver.
Team principal Toto Wolff, for his part, says there is “no rush” to finalise an extension, hinting that a new deal could be announced around the British Grand Prix. Both parties insist the relationship is working—and that ripping up a winning driver pairing would make little sense on the eve of F1’s 2026 regulation overhaul.
So, who might be knocking on Russell’s door? Paddock chatter points to Aston Martin, perhaps Ferrari should its line-up reshuffle, and even McLaren if long-term plans change. Yet for now the man himself sounds unmoved: his focus remains on fighting for wins with Mercedes and letting the contract details take care of
themselves.
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