Russell remains unbothered by Wolff's suggestions regarding the 2026 contract.

      "It's not something that keeps me up at night."

      George Russell stated he is not overly concerned about Toto Wolff’s public comments suggesting that both Mercedes drivers are likely to remain with the team in 2026, despite ongoing speculation linking Max Verstappen to a surprising switch from Red Bull. Speaking at the Belgian GP, Russell dismissed the notion that Wolff’s statements were a hidden endorsement. "That message was for you, not for me," he told journalists. "Nothing has changed for me. I only learned about what Toto has been saying an hour ago."

      The 26-year-old, who has been with Mercedes throughout his Formula 1 career, has been the subject of numerous rumors in recent weeks. Wolff was even seen meeting with Verstappen in Sardinia earlier this month. However, Verstappen is now seemingly set to stay at Red Bull in 2026 after Christian Horner's departure and the addition of Laurent Mekies under the oversight of the Austrian parent company.

      Wolff acknowledged that the speculation surrounding Verstappen grew after Russell began to voice concerns about his long-term position at Mercedes, even while he is experiencing the best form of his career. Russell claims that he has since redirected his focus.

      "It's not something that keeps me up at night," he remarked. "Initially, I felt stressed and anxious about my future, but in recent months, I've concentrated mainly on my performance. So I believe it's within my control."

      He further stated, "Mercedes requires the best drivers, and I consider myself one of them. I don't believe there are many drivers who could perform better than me. I need the team, and the team needs me. That's simply how it works in motorsport."

      Wolff mentioned on Friday that he anticipates Russell will "sleep well over the summer break," but a new contract is not immediately forthcoming. "There’s no contract on the table yet," Russell said. "I’m not sure if reaching an agreement before the break is realistic. Finalizing something in two weeks seems unlikely."