George Russell shuts down Max Verstappen rumours: 'I will be here next year'

George Russell has insisted he will be driving for Mercedes next year, "100%", although no official announcement will be made at the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Briton has an option in his contract to remain with the Silver Arrows in 2027, with Russell adamant that he will continue alongside Kimi Antonelli.

Russell's seat has again been linked with four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who has yet to commit to Red Bull or Formula 1 beyond the current campaign.

Verstappen has been a significant critic of the new power unit regulations, and it remains to be seen whether the approved changes for 2027 and 2028 are enough to keep him in the sport.

A switch to Mercedes has been rumoured for Verstappen for several years, with some believing it could be an option if he wanted to remain in F1 but not at Red Bull.

However, with Russell absolutely certain he is staying at the Brackley-based team next year, it would shut the door on Verstappen.

"(There is) no announcement this weekend," Russell told British media at the Red Bull Ring, as quoted by The Independent. "But I’ll be racing here (at Mercedes) next year. One hundred per cent.

"It hasn’t even been discussed (with Wolff). We don’t need to discuss it. It’s not even a question mark. I don’t want to go into any more detail, but I will be here next year and that’s the fact of it."