George Russell adamant he will be at Mercedes next season
Speculation has increased throughout the week, with talk turning to the 27-year-old Russell being the man under pressure.
Both Russell and his 18-year-old team-mate Kimi Antonelli do not have contracts in place for next season but, speaking ahead of his home Grand Prix, the British driver was adamant that he will be driving for Mercedes in 2026.
'Of course there's lots of conversations, lots of rumours. All of these are being pointed towards me, but from my side that isn't really going to be the case,' Russell said at Silverstone.
'I want to continue with Mercedes into the future.
'The fact is, Toto has never let me down. He's always given his word but he's also got to do what's right for his team.
'For me, it's nothing to worry about because I don't think I'll be going anywhere.
'Who my team-mate will be doesn't concern me either, so I'll just focus on the driving.'
Celebrating 75 years of Silverstone, where heritage meets the future of performance 🙌
Our 2025 British GP line-up arrives in Sunset Beam Orange 🧡 pic.twitter.com/WJyS0QKRWR
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 3, 2025
Russell has had an impressive season, highlighted by his victory in Canada, and sits fourth in the drivers' standings.
Verstappen and Russell have a rocky history, embroiled in a vicious war of words in Abu Dhabi last December before the Dutchman accelerated into his rival at this season's Spanish Grand Prix.
'Every team has two seats available and it's normal that every team is considering what the future holds,' Russell added.
'I don't take that personally because I made it clear from the beginning that I'm happy to be team-mates with anybody.'
Verstappen's contract at Red Bull runs until 2028, although performance clauses within his current deal could activate an early release.
The 27-year-old again refused to be drawn on his future, reiterating that he is under contract at Red Bull, but did rule out the idea of taking a sabbatical from Formula One.
Formula One will take its traditional summer break at the end of this month, following rounds in Belgium and Hungary.
Russell believes his contract will be sorted before then and insisted that he is not talking to other teams in a bid to secure his future.
'Any teams who did reach out in the past, I said I am loyal to Mercedes, that's where my future lies,' Russell 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.
'Everything will work itself out and the likelihood I'm not at Mercedes next year, I think is exceptionally low.
'It will happen when the time is right. I expect probably in the next couple of weeks, probably something will happen.'
Antonelli, who has impressed in his rookie season, also said he is not speaking to other teams.
The Italian said: 'No, I got this opportunity from Mercedes. There are no talks with anyone else going on.
'I am very happy where I am and I am also quite sure with the team and what they want from me.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
25 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Cameron Norrie takes inspiration from Andy Murray in latest Wimbledon win
Jack Draper's surprise second-round loss on Thursday to former finalist Marin Cilic left Norrie as the last home hope standing in the men's draw in SW19. To the delight of high-spirited spectators on his favoured Court One, the 2022 semi-finalist delivered, recovering from a slow start to dispatch Italian world number 73 Mattia Bellucci 7-6 (5) 6-4 6-3. Cameron Norrie is here to stay 👇 It's a straight set victory for the Brit as he defeats Mattia Bellucci 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-3 to move into the fourth round 🇬🇧#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2025 British number three Norrie will take on Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry in round four, with two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz a potential quarter-final opponent. 'It's important to use the crowd to your advantage,' he said. 'I was just pulling from random people, getting fired up with them. You can see they're loving it. 'Obviously Friday afternoon, people had a few drinks. I could feel that. Getting behind me. It was nice to see. 'I wanted to try to give them something to cheer about. I think the people quite like it when you look at them and get fired up. They feel like they've played a part in the win. 'I wanted to pull from the energy from not just my team but from some random people in the crowd. I've seen Andy Murray do that a lot in his matches. Yeah, it was so much fun today.' Norrie, who has plummeted from a career-high ranking of eighth to 61st, conceded he 'stole' an unconvincing opening set from Bellucci on a tie-break after being broken in the opening game. He gradually took control of a tight contest to enhance his enviable Court One record, having won eight of nine matches there across his career, including his impressive second-round success over 12th seed Frances Tiafoe. The 29-year-old is also open to returning to Centre Court – the scene of his four-set, last-four defeat to Novak Djokovic three years ago – for Sunday's showdown with Jarry but will not be making any official requests. 'If I'm playing my next match on Centre Court, that's great,' he said. CAM STORMS INTO ROUND FOUR AT WIMBLEDON!! 💪 It's a top performance from @cam_norrie who's through to the last 16 in SW19 #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #Wimbledon — LTA (@the_LTA) July 4, 2025 'I feel there's the tendency to be a little bit more respectful on that Centre Court in terms of energy and crowd, noise and everything. 'I felt like today on Court One, there were a few difficult moments for me that the crowd got really fired up – some love 30 (down), love 40 (down). 'I managed to switch the energy and switch the momentum of the match. I think that was huge to use that today. Yeah, I felt that. 'I obviously played Centre Court a few times. The match with Djokovic, they got loud as well. I'm not saying that doesn't happen. 'I just feel a little bit more on Court One – it's maybe just a little bit biased (because of) winning there and playing well there.'
South Wales Argus
25 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Cameron Norrie takes inspiration from Andy Murray in latest Wimbledon win
Jack Draper's surprise second-round loss on Thursday to former finalist Marin Cilic left Norrie as the last home hope standing in the men's draw in SW19. To the delight of high-spirited spectators on his favoured Court One, the 2022 semi-finalist delivered, recovering from a slow start to dispatch Italian world number 73 Mattia Bellucci 7-6 (5) 6-4 6-3. Cameron Norrie is here to stay 👇 It's a straight set victory for the Brit as he defeats Mattia Bellucci 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-3 to move into the fourth round 🇬🇧#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2025 British number three Norrie will take on Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry in round four, with two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz a potential quarter-final opponent. 'It's important to use the crowd to your advantage,' he said. 'I was just pulling from random people, getting fired up with them. You can see they're loving it. 'Obviously Friday afternoon, people had a few drinks. I could feel that. Getting behind me. It was nice to see. 'I wanted to try to give them something to cheer about. I think the people quite like it when you look at them and get fired up. They feel like they've played a part in the win. Cameron Norrie, pictured, fired up the Court One crowd during his contest with Mattia Bellucci (Andrew Matthews/PA) 'I wanted to pull from the energy from not just my team but from some random people in the crowd. I've seen Andy Murray do that a lot in his matches. Yeah, it was so much fun today.' Norrie, who has plummeted from a career-high ranking of eighth to 61st, conceded he 'stole' an unconvincing opening set from Bellucci on a tie-break after being broken in the opening game. He gradually took control of a tight contest to enhance his enviable Court One record, having won eight of nine matches there across his career, including his impressive second-round success over 12th seed Frances Tiafoe. The 29-year-old is also open to returning to Centre Court – the scene of his four-set, last-four defeat to Novak Djokovic three years ago – for Sunday's showdown with Jarry but will not be making any official requests. 'If I'm playing my next match on Centre Court, that's great,' he said. CAM STORMS INTO ROUND FOUR AT WIMBLEDON!! 💪 It's a top performance from @cam_norrie who's through to the last 16 in SW19 #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #Wimbledon — LTA (@the_LTA) July 4, 2025 'I feel there's the tendency to be a little bit more respectful on that Centre Court in terms of energy and crowd, noise and everything. 'I felt like today on Court One, there were a few difficult moments for me that the crowd got really fired up – some love 30 (down), love 40 (down). 'I managed to switch the energy and switch the momentum of the match. I think that was huge to use that today. Yeah, I felt that. 'I obviously played Centre Court a few times. The match with Djokovic, they got loud as well. I'm not saying that doesn't happen. 'I just feel a little bit more on Court One – it's maybe just a little bit biased (because of) winning there and playing well there.'
Leader Live
37 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Lisbon Lion John Clark attained football immortality with Celtic, funeral told
The defender from Lanarkshire, who played more than 300 times for the Glasgow club, died last month at the age of 84. His most famous match was undoubtedly the 1967 European Cup final in the Portuguese capital when Celtic defeated Inter Milan 2-1 to become the first British side to lift the European Cup – a victory that ensured a place in footballing folklore for the players and manager Jock Stein. Celtic stars past and present gathered in the east end of Glasgow on Friday for the funeral mass at St Mary's Church in Calton – a setting synonymous with Celtic, with the club's formation traced back to a meeting in the church hall in 1887. One of the last surviving Lisbon Lions, Jim Craig, attended, as did current manager Brendan Rodgers, club captain Callum McGregor and several other members of the first-team squad. Roy Keane and Ian Wright, who both played for Celtic, and former club captain and manager Neil Lennon were among the many well-known footballing figures in attendance. Portuguese flags hung from the balconies inside the church during a service that also heard the Celtic anthem You'll Never Walk Alone played on the organ. At the start of the mass, priest Father John Mulholland extended his sympathies to Clark's widow, Eileen, his children Mairi and Martin, his three grandchildren and other family members. He then reflected on the legacy created by Clark and his team-mates from 1967. 'How many people would be able to name those 11 men without even thinking, they are second nature to all of us, simply because of what they did that afternoon,' he said. 'That immortality has gone with them for what is now nearly 60 years – wee boys at school can rhyme off the names of the Lisbon Lions.' Delivering the homily, priest Father Mark O'Donnell described Clark as a 'happy and quiet man' who was known for his displays of 'authentic kindness'. Clark's association with Celtic extended long beyond the end of his playing days. He also served spells as coach, assistant manager and kit man. As well as his European Cup winners' medal, Clark also won four league championships, three Scottish Cups and four League Cups during his playing career. In a 25-minute eulogy, renowned Scottish football commentator Archie Macpherson hailed Clark as the 'most modest and genial footballer' he had ever encountered. The broadcaster also shared his memories of the final whistle in Lisbon. 'I remember the scenes well. I remember the scenes of the players at the end, utterly exhausted and the supporters pouring on. The goals themselves you all know about, you've seen them so often,' he told mourners. 'And, yes, the word has been used – immortal – about Stein and the others, and that is the case. 'For myself, personally, I am simply a privileged man to have been there and rubbed shoulders with the greats, saw in that glorious sunshine a Scottish victory that nobody will ever forget. 🍀 The Funeral Mass for Lisbon Lion, John Clark, took place today (July 4) at St Mary's Church, Calton, as his family and many footballing friends and former colleagues gathered to pay tribute to a great Celtic man. — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 4, 2025 'And John was part of that, the wee Lanarkshire boy who grew up wanting to be an aristocrat in football, and attained it. 'But, he showed his other side by becoming the kit man at Celtic Park. And I remember so many times from different players talking about how this man could suddenly do that, and he did it simply. 'He wanted Celtic still to be a success, and although he wore his boots magnificently, he also carried other people's boots and their jerseys just to keep Celtic going. 'That gives you an idea of another side of his personality. Yes, I'm honoured to have met him, honoured to have been in Lisbon and certainly honoured to be with you today.' After the service, hundreds of fans braved wet and windy weather outside Celtic's Parkhead stadium to pay their own tributes as the cortege passed. The mourners gathered at Celtic Park in response to an invite to send a 'final farewell to one of the club's greatest ever servants'. The fans applauded as a cortege passed by the stadium.
