George Russell says he would welcome Max Verstappen as a teammate at Mercedes, even if it puts his own long-term seat at risk.
The British driver, enjoying arguably his strongest season yet, is out of contract after 2025. But Russell insists he doesn't feel slighted by team boss Toto Wolff, who hasn't rushed to offer an extension — likely to keep the door open for a potential Verstappen switch from Red Bull.
"The truth is, no," Russell told El Mundo Deportivo when asked if he feels disrespected. "The fact is, there are two seats in a Formula 1 team. And I've already said I'd be happy to be Verstappen's teammate."
"Why wouldn't a team want Verstappen? If I was Toto, I had two seats and I could have any driver and all the drivers were available, I would choose myself and I would choose Verstappen. That's what I would do in Toto's shoes."
Russell is currently paired with teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli, who is seen as Wolff's long-term project. Some believe that leaves Russell vulnerable for 2026.
Still, he's unbothered: "I don't see it as disrespectful," he repeated. "That's how the sport goes.
"I think Ferrari, if it could choose, would choose Verstappen and (Charles) Leclerc. McLaren would probably choose Verstappen and either (Lando) Norris or (Oscar) Piastri.
Verstappen would be the number one choice for every team.
"So it's not disrespectful. It's just the reality."
While Russell insists he wants to stay with Mercedes, he says he has "full confidence" he'll be in a competitive car in 2026 — even if that's not in silver.
Many in the paddock speculate that Red Bull would snatch him up should Verstappen leave — and Russell appears to rate Red Bull's chances next year, despite their upcoming switch to Ford-backed in-house engines.
"Yes, but McLaren also has our engine, and we're way behind McLaren now," he pointed out when told Mercedes power units are expected to dominate in 2026. "Right now, we're closer to Williams than McLaren.
"There's a lot of positivity around our 2026 engine, but it's noise, not facts. How do you know what the others will do?
I know what Mercedes has — but I don't know what Ferrari has. I don't know what Red Bull has. So all this noise is nonsense.
"Of course my intention is to continue with Mercedes. It's where I want to be. And nothing would make me happier than to win with Mercedes. But contracts in Formula 1 are overrated."
