Russell says he 'won't be going anywhere' amid Verstappen talk

Mercedes driver confident of new contract as FIA president faces a rival in re-election bid

- Giles Richards

George Russell believes he "won't be going anywhere" and is likely to have a new contract confirmed with Mercedes as he played down suggestions that he could lose his seat to Max Verstappen.

As he prepared for this weekend's British Grand Prix, Russell, whose contract with Mercedes has yet to be renewed, said he thought the chances of him not being with the team next season were "exceptionally low". Verstappen, in turn, flatly refused to comment on the matter.

The speculation came on a day when there was more flux at the top of the sport as a challenge emerged to the authority of the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, with the news that the former FIA steward Tim Mayer will stand against the president in elections later this year.

On Wednesday, there were unconfirmed reports that Verstappen's talks with Mercedes have intensified and that a deal was close to being confirmed. However, it is understood this remains entirely speculation and that Mercedes are still conducting consideration of advances made toward them from the Verstappen camp.