George Russell says there’s an “exceptionally low” chance he’ll leave Mercedes next year even after he claimed the team was holding talks with Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.

As Mercedes continue to be linked to Max Verstappen, it provides a dilemma that can be split three ways: if the four-time Formula 1 world champion is an option for the German manufacturer, what driver pairing is best for 2026?

The summer is traditionally Formula One’s “silly season” where rumours abound and surprise signings are (sometimes) announced. As 2025 appears to be no different, we analyse the current state of play across the grid looking to next season.

In spite of Max's generational talent, he could be a liability if he replaces Russell, and the team would practically implode if he replaced Kimi Antonelli.

Mercedes racer George Russell has no contract for 2026 and rumours are now swirling that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen may be on the verge of a switch to the Silver Arrows

George Russell says the chances of him not being a Mercedes driver next year are “exceptionally low”, adding he expects Kimi Antonelli to remain as his team-mate.

Russell’s contract at Mercedes expires at the end of 2025, while Verstappen is tied to Red Bull until 2028 though team adviser Helmut Marko has previously acknowledged that all of the top drivers on the grid have agreements that contain performance-related break clauses.

Sky Sports pundit Craig Slater called for Mercedes to keep George Russell unless Red Bull driver Max Verstappen hits the driver market.

Russell claiming that talks were “ongoing” between Verstappen and Mercedes was the spark for a fresh wave of rumours, but even if Verstappen were to make that blockbuster move, Russell insists there is an “exceptionally low” chance that he will not be a Mercedes driver in F1 2026.

Even with all the noise surrounding Red Bull Racing after the British Grand Prix, George Russell still doesn’t know where he’ll be racing beyond this season. He’s currently the highest-placed driver in the championship without a deal signed for 2026.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff issued a timeline for the team's driver lineup as George Russell's contract expires and Max Verstappen rumors swirl.

Christian Horner has responded to George Russell's claim that talks to take Max Verstappen to Mercedes are "ongoing."