George Russell says Mercedes are talking to Max Verstappen about signing him for next season.
The 27-year-old Briton is out of contract with Mercedes next year, and his remarks bring back to the surface a narrative that always threatened to dominate this summer in Formula 1.
World champion Verstappen is under contract to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but the deal is said to have break clauses that the Dutchman could use to exit.
"It's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing," Russell told Sky Sports
"But from my side, if I'm performing as I'm doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula 1 team."
Russell added to BBC Sport: "Toto has made it clear to me that how I'm performing is as good as anybody.
"There is only one driver that you can debate in terms of performance. These are his words and not my words, and that is why I have no concern about my future.
"But there are two seats to every team and I guess he needs to think who are those two drivers."
