George Russell believes his performances this season should ensure his seat is safe amid swirling rumours of Max Verstappen replacing him at Mercedes.
Russell reignited speculation over Verstappen's future with Red Bull last month when he said that his own contract extension was being delayed by Mercedes' pursuit of the Dutchman.
Mercedes' team boss, Toto Wolff, confirmed that conversations were ongoing with the four-time world champion, though he has since played down the possibility of Verstappen joining the team for the 2026 season.
Verstappen would bring huge pedigree to Mercedes, having won the last four world titles with Red Bull, though his reign as world champion looks set to end this season, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris battling it out for the crown.
The Dutchman holds the record for the most wins in a single year (19 in 2023), along with the most consecutive grand prix victories (10 between Miami and Italy in 2023).
Verstappen's future was thrown into further doubt when team principal Christian Horner was sacked by Red Bull, though he has since come out and said that decision will not affect his future with the team.
Asked about his revelation of Mercedes' talks with Verstappen, Russell said on Friday: "They were and they are. That's fine. Everybody talks.
"There are long-term futures at play as well. For drivers, the teams are not just thinking about one year in front, you're thinking about two, three, four, five years ahead.
"These things come around quickly. I know as long as I perform, I have nothing to worry about, and that doesn't mean that I'm staying, or I'm not, or whatever is going to happen.
"It's been an interesting time for me these last couple of months, how I sort of process everything that has been ongoing.
"I've decided now to just not worry about it whatsoever, because I know as long as I drive fast on the track, that's the most important thing, so what will be will be."
Russell has enjoyed a fine season thus far, sitting fourth in the drivers' championship standings.
He is one of only two drivers, along with Verstappen, who have claimed a race victory apart from McLaren duo Piastri and Norris.
After Lewis Hamilton's departure from Mercedes, Russell has become the team's senior driver and has comfortably outscored his rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli, with the pair separated by 84 points in the standings.
Russell's fourth win of his career came at the Canadian Grand Prix last month, and the Briton believes that his displays this season speak for themselves.
"It's not really having any impact on me whatsoever," Russell said of the ongoing speculation.
"I don't lose any sleep over it, I don't really think about it, because as I've always said, the best thing you can do is drive fast on track.
"Obviously, we are talking in the background. There's nothing for me to be concerned about whatsoever, but there's nothing to announce.
"The situation we find ourselves in now, I don't think, is abnormal. From my side, there is no tension because there are two cars for every team.
"I'm performing the best I've ever performed. I have the majority of the points for the team. So, if you look at the facts, you would argue my job is safe.
"That's why I'm not concerned at all. If I stop performing, maybe I need to be concerned, but I need to be more concerned about my performance, not about my future."
Russell returns to Spa this weekend, a year on after claiming victory in Belgium only to have the win stripped away from him, due to his car being under the minimum weight.
