George Russell reveals feelings on eradicated Max Verstappen to Mercedes jeopardy

George Russell insists his seat at Mercedes never felt "under threat" from Max Verstappen, despite Toto Wolff publicly courting the Red Bull driver over the past few years.

It was continuously and widely speculated that the British driver would most likely make way for the four-time F1 drivers' champion, with Kimi Antonelli somewhat of a protected species at the Silver Arrows — if Verstappen could be prised away from his current team.

On numerous occasions, especially last year, Russell addressed the subject in the press. However, he let his performances in 2025 do most of the talking, earning himself an extension that protected him well from losing his drive to the Dutchman.

Verstappen has now re-upped with the Milton Keynes-based squad, extending his contract to the end of 2030, and whilst McLaren had emerged as his front-running alternative in recent months, Wolff had long regarded Mercedes and the 28-year-old as a partnership that should — and perhaps would — happen at some point.

But although there was persistent noise for an extended period, Russell maintains it was only ever a matter he addressed when pressed on the subject by the media, and not something that irritated him.

"It's only really a topic for us when you're sat in front of you guys in the press, and you want to ask these questions and understand what's going on," he told media, including RacingNews365.

"It was always very clear from within Mercedes what the reality was over these past couple of years, and maybe those conversations were slightly more public than the conversations his [Verstappen] team were having with the likes of McLaren or Ferrari or whoever else it may have been."

Russell was quick to point out that these games of musical chairs happen up and down the paddock and that discussions are routinely taking place as parties seek to sound out alternatives and contingencies.

But despite the hazardous nature of life inside F1, he is adamant he always felt "100 per cent" secure with Wolff, regardless of what was going on behind the scenes at Mercedes.

"So that's just the nature of the sport," the seven-time grand prix winner added. "Drivers talk with different teams. Teams talk with different drivers. Everyone has to just see what their cards are.

"But my seat never felt under threat, and I felt 100 per cent security with Toto and the team, and that obviously now continues."