Mercedes driver George Russell, performing strongly but without a contract for 2026, has declared his Formula 1 future remains wide open.
Team principal Toto Wolff faces a conundrum - keeping a potential 2026 seat open for Max Verstappen while expressing satisfaction with his current drivers.
Alongside McLaren's duo and Verstappen, Russell has particularly shone in 2025, with his new teammate, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, emerging as a future star.
"George is calling the shots at the moment," Wolff told Osterreich newspaper. "He's consistently at the front, getting the most out of the car on Sundays."
Despite this, Wolff has avoided discussing Russell's contract extension, prompting speculation about the 27-year-old Briton's future. "That's just being blown out of proportion," Wolff said.
"We have a timeline. We're absolutely on track with George. If I announce a date now, I'll just create unnecessary pressure. We said we'll meet in early summer."
One scenario suggests that if Verstappen joins Mercedes, Red Bull might eagerly pursue the reliable Russell.
Wolff, however, questioned the fit, noting: "Kimi and George are both working on the car together, and the atmosphere is relaxed and playful despite all the pressure. At Red Bull, the pressure is certainly greater."
Another possibility could arise if Lewis Hamilton, struggling at Ferrari, retires. "I don't think so," Wolff said when asked if Hamilton might quit. "People write Lewis off far too quickly."
Russell's clear preference is to stay in silver, stating at Imola: "I want to be at Mercedes next year. That's where I want to be.
"But things have to be right. It's all got to make sense. But I can't see why it won't happen."
He remains open to alternatives, adding: "I've always said I'd be happy to be teammates with any driver on this grid. So I don't think anything is out of the question for next year, in terms of any movement on the whole grid."
Reflecting on post-Hamilton Mercedes and the new Antonelli-era dynamic, he noted: "There's been more calm in the team. It's a good place for us right now."
