George Russell defiant on F1 future despite 'GOAT' Verstappen 'on Mercedes radar'

George Russell has no doubt his F1 future lies with Mercedes despite acknowledging that Max Verstappen remains "on the radar" of team principal Toto Wolff.

Russell is out of contract at the end of the season, and despite being three months and nine grands prix into the campaign, the British driver has conceded that "no real conversations" have started with Wolff as yet over a new deal.

The 27-year-old, however, has performed superbly this season, scoring four podiums in the first six races, although a miserable European triple-header for the team has cast him 75 points adrift in the drivers' title fight.

Russell maintains that discussions over a new contract are not a priority as Mercedes has "bigger fish to fry at the moment, which is making our car go faster".

Expressing confidence in what he has achieved with the team in his three and a half seasons, he added: "I know I'm going to be in Formula 1 next year.

"My intention and goal is to stay with Mercedes, and I think that's very much the intention of Toto as well. There's no real reason for either of us to deviate."

Russell, though, is aware of the constant speculation surrounding four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen.

It has been claimed that Verstappen has a clause in his Red Bull contract, that runs through to the end of 2028, that if he is not in the top three in the drivers' standings by a certain point this summer, then he is free to negotiate an exit.

Verstappen has been linked with a move to Mercedes for a long time, and Wolff has made no secret of his admiration for the 28-year-old.

Russell, who is 26 points behind Verstappen, knows the rumours around his rival and Mercedes refuse to go away. The bottom line is, however, he feels he has done enough to warrant an extension. 

"It's understandable the likes of Max have always been on the radar, because why wouldn't he be on the radar?" remarked Russell. "He's one of the GOATs, and I get that.

"But then it's down to you to prove your worth, and I feel I've done that time and time again over the course of seven years in F1, my whole career, so I've got no concerns."