George Russell issues declaration as Max Verstappen-Mercedes rumours swirl

George Russell has declared that he will just "focus on the driving" as speculation around his Mercedes future grows.

The team has been heavily linked with luring Max Verstappen from Red Bull for 2026, with Toto Wolff a long-time admirer of the Dutchman. 

Although both he and team-mate Kimi Antonelli are out of contract, Russell has been largely identified as the driver most likely to leave to make way for Verstappen should a deal be agreed.

This is despite Russell enjoying his best-ever start to a season, with five podiums, including one win to his name, as he is just 18 points behind Verstappen in the standings.

Addressing the situation, Russell explained how he had developed a "thick skin" and was just concentrating on what he can control. 

"I mean that is for you to judge," Russell began to tell media, including RacingNews365, if he felt it was unfair to be involved in the rumours given his strong start to the season. 

"For me, I feel quite thick-skinned and I don't really read much news or listen to rumours, I just focus on the facts and on the driving. 

"At the beginning of the year, I said you can have a contract, but if you don't perform, you're out.

"And if you perform, everything sorts itself out, so I will just focus on the driving as I've been for this whole year."