Exclusive: Russell is on Aston Martin’s F1 radar for 2026

George Russell is a target to lead Aston Martin’s Formula 1 revival in 2026 - according to a leading paddock source.

Autosport understands that the 27-year-old is being considered as part of the team’s future plans following the biggest regulation change in F1’s history.

Aston Martin has charged legendary designer Adrian Newey with the responsibility of producing a competitive car given the introduction of new engine and chassis rules, and it is believed that Russell is a shock contender to drive it.

Russell is out of contract at the end of the year with Mercedes and yet to sign a new deal. He was asked about how his victory in Montreal would impact his contract negotiations with Mercedes.

He said: “It doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt at all, but as I've said many times, I'm not concerned at all about next year. I know I'm going to be on the grid.

“I feel that I'm driving better than ever. I still feel I've got more in the tank. I feel ready to fight for a world championship, and I think results like today, when we got half a chance of a good result, we're there to take it, and I'm pretty relaxed, just enjoying the moment, enjoying my racing, and just taking it week by week.”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

Autosport asked Russell if he was 100% certain that it’s going to be Mercedes next year or if he was talking to other teams and he said it was his intention to remain with the Silver Arrows - a squad he joined in 2022.

It comes after Toto Wolff’s lengthy pursuit of world champion Max Verstappen last season where he openly discussed the potential of signing the Red Bull driver.

“No, I'm not talking with anybody else and any teams who have shown interest," Russell, who joined the Mercedes junior programme as a teenager, added. "I have been quite open to say my intentions are to stay with Mercedes. That's always been clear.

“I am loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this chance to get into Formula 1. There haven’t been any hard feelings with any of the talks that have been going around, especially around Max because, like I said numerous times, why wouldn't teams be interested in Max?

"If everybody could, if every driver had a clean, no contracts for next year, Max would be the number one for every single team. And that's understandable.

“But ultimately there are two seats for every race team and I knew if I continued to perform as I'm doing, my position would not be under threat whatsoever.  So, I feel in a good place. We're in no rush to do contract negotiations.”

Wolff too says he is optimistic that Russell will commit to a new deal and adds that they are yet to sign terms but have agreed a timeline to do so.

George Russell, Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

“He's been so long with us and he's growing," said Wolff. "The steps he's made from the young driver in Williams, then coming to Mercedes at a difficult time, being on par with Lewis [Hamilton]. And then since Lewis left, being clearly the leader of the team, senior driver in the team, and it comes naturally.

“It's not like there's some politics. It's just taken the place that he merits and deserves. How the ambience in the team is great. And we've agreed on some kind of timeline when we want to settle these things.

“With triple-headers getting out of the way and one race after the other now in June and July. But we're going to get there. He's been a Mercedes junior in the same way that Kimi [Antonelli] was since he was 16. So it isn't dependent on whether he wins a race, whether he performs, because we know he can.”

Current Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has a deal in place until the end of next season, while Lance Stroll is on a year-by-year deal but it complicated by the fact his dad owns the team.