Russell: Past months have not been assuring for the future

Russell has a contract with Mercedes that ends at the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season, which also applies to his rookie teammate, Kimi Antonelli.

But Toto Wolff has been, and is still, taking his time in handing both his drivers new contracts as he was flirting with Max Verstappen, trying to lure him to Mercedes in the wake of Red Bull Racing's recent struggles with their 2025 single-seater, not to mention the volatility of the situation that saw long-serving boss Christian Horner fired a few weeks ago.

Now Wolff has announced that Russell and Antonelli are his priority, while Verstappen confirmed he will be racing for Red Bull Racing in 2026.

Russell, facing the media in Budapest, admitted he was feeling uneasy over the past few months despite his long history with Mercedes, who have supported him throughout his career that led him into F1.

He said: "I mean, from my whole career until last year, the team have supported me so much and given me such amazing opportunities.

"Our goals have been aligned and what has been in the best interest of the team has also been in the best interest of me.

"Now, of course, these last six months have been a very unique situation where I don't have huge power in that sort of agreement and maybe the interests were not aligned for some time, which has, of course, put me at risk for these last six months, but then it was my job to perform and reduce that risk.

"I don't know, to be honest," he responded when asked whether he should take his future into his own hands. "I don't wish for it to come to anything like that.

"I still trust Toto and I still trust in the team that they will always support me as long as I'm performing. So that's what I need to focus on.

"But of course, for both Kimi and I, these past months have not been the most assuring for our future and that's just been a bit conflicting," he maintained.

The fact remains that while Verstappen will remain at Red Bull Racing for 2026, the Dutchman may have different plans for 2027 and beyond.

It was the smart thing to do to stay with the team in 2026, the year when the new F1 regulations will debut, and check how the sport's landscape develops as to who will emerge with a competitive package.

Will that be Mercedes? Or Aston Martin with Adrian Newey now doing the design work and with Honda as their works power unit partner?

So while Russell's future with Mercedes is secure for 2026, the fact remains that not having an announcement regarding his contract renewal means there probably is a discussion regarding the duration of such an extension, as Wolff may want to make sure he has a chance to sign Verstappen beyond 2026 should the reigning F1 champion decide to make a move. (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)