George Russell holds new Mercedes talks as Max Verstappen 'close to agreeing deal'

George Russell revealed ahead of the British Grand Prix that he and Mercedes had engaged in extra talks following a string of reports about his future with the team. Ahead of the Brit's home race, Sky Italy reported that Max Verstappen was 'close to agreeing a deal' with the Brackley-based squad.

Russell has enjoyed an exceptional 2025 season thus far and heads into Sunday's bout at Silverstone just nine points behind Verstappen in the Drivers' Championship standings. Despite that, he is in danger of losing his seat for the 2026 campaign. Toto Wolff has refused to nail his colours to the mast with Russell, Verstappen and promising rookie Kimi Antonelli all in contention for two available seats next year.

Ahead of the British GP, Russell let on that extra conversations went on behind the scenes at Mercedes after reports emerged from Italy suggesting that a deal between Verstappen and the Silver Arrows was progressing.

"I mean there's a lot of conversations behind the scenes that are not public, and I know where their loyalty lies," Russell explained. "It doesn't need to be public or broadcasted to everybody.

"We've spoken a bit more over the last week because there's numerous articles and whatnot out there, but it doesn't really change anything on my side because, as I said, I'm performing better than ever, it's as simple as that really. Performance speaks for everything."

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If Verstappen does swap Milton Keynes for Brackley and Wolff leaves Russell in the dark, the four-time Grand Prix winner will have a tough decision to make about his future. Only Red Bull, Alpine and Cadillac stand as viable alternatives to Mercedes, and competition for seats is at an all-time high.

However, despite the rumours, Russell believes that his team principal will stay loyal. "Of course, there's conversations and rumours and all of these have been pointed towards me, but from my side, that isn't going to be the case. 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, and he's also got to do what's right for his team, which includes me but 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 doesn't concern me either. Just focusing on the driving."