Mercedes driver George Russell is confident that he will be on the Formula One grid next year despite his current contract expiring this year.

Several drivers are without a contract for the 2026 campaign, when Cadillac is set to join the grid as the 11th F1 team, and rumors are gaining momentum as the temperatures rise. One of those drivers without a contract?

Imagine the world of F1 without Max Verstappen in it right now. Calmer? Sure. Fewer penalties? Almost certainly. Boring? Absolutely. The fact is that F1 is sleepwalking (or running) into a crisis. Long gone are the days of 2021 with Max and Lewis going wheel-to-wheel – neither giving up an inch – with the title on a knife edge.