New Delhi, Oct 17 (NationPress) George Russell asserts he is “in the best seat in Formula 1” to compete for the world championship in 2026 after securing a new multi-year contract with Mercedes. The team officially announced on Wednesday that Russell, alongside rookie Kimi Antonelli, will remain their driver duo for the 2026 season.

This announcement, although anticipated after Max Verstappen reaffirmed his loyalty to Red Bull, came after weeks of discussions regarding the final terms of Russell’s contract.

Speaking publicly about the agreement for the first time on Thursday in Austin, just before the United States Grand Prix, Russell revealed he never wavered in his desire to stay.

“As I look towards next year, I wanted to ensure many off-track aspects were aligned to enable me to perform at my absolute best on track,” Russell stated. “If every single seat was open, and I could select any seat to race for in 2026, I would choose to be in the Mercedes.

“I genuinely believe that this is the team that will provide the best opportunity to win the world championship next year, based on everything I know at this moment. We may end up being mistaken, but considering all the information we have now, I’m genuinely pleased with our agreement, confident in the team, and eager to progress and improve.”

Formula 1 is set to implement a major overhaul of its chassis and power unit regulations in 2026, with many experts predicting that Mercedes will once again set the benchmark — similar to 2014 when it began a streak of eight consecutive Constructors’ titles.

Even though the team’s statement only confirmed Russell and Antonelli for 2026, it didn't clarify the duration of their contracts, leading to speculation that Mercedes might be keeping options open for Verstappen in 2027. However, Russell confirmed to journalists that his agreement spans more than a single season.

“In Formula 1, it’s often said that a driver has signed for a certain number of years, yet things may not always unfold as expected, with varying clauses and stipulations,” he explained. “It often becomes an irrelevant detail because if things are progressing well, everything continues; if not, that’s when discussions typically arise.

“I am loyal to Mercedes, and they have shown loyalty to me. I believe that heading into 2026, Mercedes undoubtedly presents my best chance of clinching a world championship.”

Russell emphasized that his strategy is straightforward — maintain consistent performance and allow results to guide the rest. “Ultimately, it boils down to performance. For any driver, including myself, what allows me to sleep soundly at night is knowing that my performances are robust, and that’s what will keep me in the sport. My aim is to remain with Mercedes indefinitely, and we are focused on achieving victory in 2026.”

The 27-year-old Briton has had a remarkable 2025 season, securing victories in two Grands Prix — including Singapore — and significantly outperforming the highly regarded teammate Antonelli. Russell acknowledged that the trust shown by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is reflected in the terms of his new contract.

“It’s less about beliefs and more about actual performance output,” he stated. “Everyone likely believes they deserve more than what’s realistic, but it ultimately comes down to what you’ve demonstrated on track — consistency, performance, and collaboration with the team.

“Toto has certainly recognized this. Given our team’s situation, he could have been more stringent with his offers, but he has been very generous. This is why I am delighted, as he understands that to succeed, you need a team that is happy, valued, and willing to give their all. That’s what he has done, and that’s why I’m here with a smile.”