GEORGE RUSSELL claims he is all set to sign a new Mercedes deal, silencing speculation he could be dumped for Max Verstappen.
The Brit, 27, is out of contract next year and his boss Toto Wolff confirmed in Austria he had held talks with four-time world champion Verstappen about a move.
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But SunSport understands a new offer will be presented to Russell before next month’s Belgian Grand Prix.
Russell believes that team-mate Kimi Antonelli would be the driver to make way for Verstappen in the unlikely event that the Dutchman is to leave Red Bull for Mercedes.
Ahead of Sunday’s British GP at Silverstone, Russell said: “I want to continue with Mercedes into the future. Toto has never let me down, has always given me his word.
“He’s also got to do what’s right for his team, which includes me and the thousands of people who work for Mercedes.
“For me it’s nothing to worry about, as I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere, and whoever my team-mate is doesn’t concern me either, so I’ll just focus on the driving.
“It’ll happen when the time is right. I expect in the next couple of weeks. But we’ll need to wait and see.
“There hasn’t been a lack of interest, let’s say. But I’ve been focused on my side, I am loyal to Mercedes.
“The likelihood I’m not at Mercedes next year is exceptionally low.”
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There had been talk of Verstappen taking a year out from F1, as well as being linked with Mercedes and Aston Martin.
He became a new dad in May and has been dipping his toes in other areas of motorsport like GT3.
But Verstappen, 27, who denied he would take an F1 sabbatical, said: “I’ll race F1 for sure and I’ll try, in the future, to combine it with any kind of other racing that is possible, that I can prepare for.
“I do want to explore a bit out of F1 which I’m already doing with testing, but eventually also racing.”