AUSTIN, Texas

George Russell arrived at the Circuit of the Americas paddock on Thursday, seemingly more confident than ever.

This newfound confidence seems to stem partly from his recent contract renewal, which has put months of uncertainty about his future with Mercedes to rest. Perhaps winning the Singapore Grand Prix has given him an extra boost, too.

But there was another layer to his assurance during the media meeting.

There’s a growing belief that when the new Formula 1 regulations are rolled out next season, Mercedes could be in a prime position to lead the pack.

Among the whispers in the paddock is the notion that Mercedes is likely to set the standard with these new rules. Although it’s still early days for such predictions, Russell’s comments on Thursday suggested that staying at Brackley was perhaps the right choice for anyone aiming for success.

“Well, I’m really happy to be able to continue,” he said regarding his time with Mercedes. “Honestly, if every seat was available next year and I had to pick a team, I believe Mercedes would have the best shot at winning the championship. For me, winning is what matters most, not money or promotional events,” Russell explained.

“I want to win. That’s what I’m fighting for,” he continued.

When asked about what lay beyond 2026, Russell again emphasized his focus on performance and his aspirations for the upcoming season.

“What allows me to sleep well at night is knowing I’m performing well, and that keeps me in racing,” he shared. “Our goal is to stay with Mercedes long-term, and I’m here to focus on winning in 2026.”

Russell reiterated that his excitement over the contract renewal had little to do with financial incentives and everything to do with the allure of victory.

“I’m genuinely happy and eager to continue with Mercedes—not for the money or anything like that, but because I think this is my best opportunity to win,” he added.

He wasn’t alone in his optimism; Pierre Gasly from Alpine also spoke about the potential for next year, especially with Mercedes power units being introduced as Alpine transitions to being a customer team.

Yet, George Russell, speaking in Austin, is the kind of person who believes he has what it takes to secure a world title with Mercedes.

Perhaps there’s more truth to the paddock’s whispers than we realize.