George Russell has revealed that uncertainty over his contract situation at Mercedes has put him at risk of a surprise exit from the team.
Russell's current contract with the Silver Arrows is set to run out at the end of the 2025 season, though it has been reported the Briton is close to agreeing a new multi-year deal.
The 27-year-old had been linked with a move away from the team he joined in 2022, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressing his interest in Max Verstappen.
But ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen confirmed he would remain with Red Bull for the 2026 Formula One campaign.
"I mean, from my whole career until last year, the team have supported me so much and given me such amazing opportunities," Russell said at the Hungaroring.
"Our goals have been aligned, and what has been in the best interest of the team has also been in the best interest of me.
"These last six months have been a very unique situation where I don't have a huge power in that sort of agreement.
"Maybe the interests were not aligned for some time, which, of course, puts me at risk for these last six months. But then it was my job to perform and reduce that risk."
Russell has shone for Mercedes this season, sitting fourth in the drivers' championship after winning the Canadian Grand Prix as well as claiming five podium finishes.
But it has been a difficult campaign thus far for Mercedes, who have scored 220 points across the first 13 races in 2025.
With an average of 16.9 points per grand prix, it is the German team's worst record in the Hybrid Era in a single season, and their worst in a year since averaging 7.10 in 2012.
And while Wolff has spoken openly about exploring the possibility of signing Verstappen at some point in the future, Russell is focused on improving the team now.
"I still trust in the team that they will always support me as long as I'm performing, so that's what I need to focus on," he added.
"But of course, for both Kimi [Antonelli] and I these past months have not been the most assuring for our future, and that's just been a bit conflicting."
Should Russell seek a move away from the Silver Arrows, it limits his options given he is managed by the team after signing for them as a junior driver in 2017.
"They ultimately hold the cards because of the situation we find ourselves in with the management agreement," Russell said.
"So they've had no rush to sign Kimi [Antonelli, Russell's teammate] or I because we've got this longer-term, overriding deal in place.
"But the truth is I've never feared losing my seat and that's not even been on the table once this year, even though, of course, you guys like to make a big deal out of it.
"Maybe 12 months ago, I was a bit more anxious and wanted to get something sorted or confirmed for 2026, maybe six months ago, I felt the same.
"But I'm performing better than ever. I still feel I've got more to give.
"I've waited so long, and I think now I want to get through this weekend, I want to go on holiday next week and enjoy the break.
"There is no time pressure my side. There's no time pressure from the team side."
