What ‘people close’ to George Russell are now saying about him leaving Mercedes amid Aston Martin interest

Mercedes driver George Russell is a man in demand after winning the Canadian Grand Prix.

Although some doubt remains over Max Verstappen’s potential Red Bull get-out clause, George Russell is the highest-rated driver who is yet to sign a contract for 2026.

Mercedes have yet to commit to either Russell or his teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli for next season.

Six teams have already confirmed their line-ups for 2026, meaning there are very few options for the likes of Russell if they wish to explore their options.

Aston Martin are interested in signing Russell to strengthen their team ahead of the sport’s new regulations being introduced.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has held informal chats with Russell in case he needs to find a replacement for Verstappen.

Russell proved that he’s among Formula 1’s strongest drivers with a flawless victory at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Whether that’s convinced team principal Toto Wolff that he deserves a new contract is yet to be seen.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

George Russell’s camp believes his ‘only focus’ is on staying at Mercedes

Journalist Nate Saunders was asked on the Unlapped Podcast how realistic it is for Russell to move to Aston Martin and explained: “It seems at the moment it is unrealistic for the simple fact that George Russell said after the race as well, and, if you talk to people close to him, they say the same thing.

“His only focus is on signing that new deal with Mercedes.

“But what is clear is [that] other teams in the paddock are aware of the situation, that is that Toto Wolff hasn’t decided yet whether he wants George Russell or if he can get Max Verstappen, whether he’ll put him in that seat.

“And so it makes sense if you’re Aston Martin. We’ve talked about it before, would this be to replace Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll?

“Weirdly, I think it would be to replace Alonso, which kind of doesn’t make any sense.

“But clearly there’s an interest there, and it does sound like that is legit.

“But Russell’s only focus is on the Mercedes deal. In fact, he doesn’t even want to talk to other teams and make it look like, hey, I’m kind of exploring other options.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Toto Wolff sends signal that George Russell’s Mercedes F1 contract is on the horizon

Wolff is the man that Russell knows he needs to impress to secure his future with the Silver Arrows.

He was extremely pleased with the 27-year-old on the team radio as he took the chequered flag under the safety car in Montreal.

It meant Mercedes leapfrogged Ferrari in the constructors’ championship with Antonelli pulling his weight by securing the first podium of his F1 career.

Wolff’s body language changed when asked about Russell’s contract in Canada, suggesting that a contract offer might be imminent.

The Mercedes chief’s dream of securing Verstappen appears unlikely to happen just yet, but Russell is proving this season that, in the right car, he could deliver a championship for the Silver Arrows.