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.
Speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix, Russell said he was confident of staying with Mercedes and argued that changing drivers would risk the team's competitiveness when sweeping rule changes come in 2026.
Russell caused a stir last week when he suggested to broadcaster Sky Sports that "conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing" and were a reason why he had yet to renew his contract for 2026.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has not denied interest in four-time champion Verstappen. The Dutch driver himself has declined to comment on his future with Red Bull beyond 2025.
"I want to continue with Mercedes into the future," Russell said Thursday. "The fact is, Toto has never let me down. He's always given me his word, but he's also got to do what's right for his team, which includes me, but it also includes the thousands of people who work for Mercedes.