George Russell will drive for Mercedes in 2027, he confirmed after his recent victory in Austria.

What happened?

Russell's win in Austria brought him closer to teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings, now 40 points behind.

Why it matters for George Russell

The Brit's contract, signed last year, only mentioned the 2026 season, leaving his future uncertain.

Russell's statement clears up any ambiguity about his future, claiming he will '100 per cent' be racing for Mercedes in 2027.

What comes next?

Following a point-less Monaco Grand Prix, Russell fell to 68 points behind Antonelli, but the gap is now narrowing.

The championship battle between Russell and Antonelli is heating up, with Russell's victory in Austria bringing the gap down.

Russell told media after the race, 'I’ll be racing here next year, 100 per cent.'

He added, 'It hasn’t even been discussed [with Toto Wolff]. We don’t need to discuss it. It’s not even a question mark.'

The news will come as a relief to Russell's fans, who were worried about his future with the team.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes' team principal, is known to be a key admirer of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, whose long-term future is also uncertain.

Russell's current form has been inconsistent, with only two wins this season, while Antonelli has five.

The championship battle is far from over, with several races still to come before the summer break.

Russell's confirmation of his drive for 2027 will give him a boost as he looks to close the gap to Antonelli.

The Brit will be looking to build on his recent victory in Austria and push for more wins in the coming races.

With the silly season in full swing, Russell's confirmation is a significant development in the F1 driver market.

The news will have implications for other drivers, including Max Verstappen, whose future is still uncertain.

Russell's focus will now be on the upcoming races, where he will look to close the gap to Antonelli and challenge for the championship.

The championship battle between Russell and Antonelli is set to be one of the most exciting in recent years, with both drivers pushing hard for the title.

Russell's experience and skill will be crucial in the coming races, as he looks to overcome the deficit to Antonelli.

The Brit's determination and focus will be key in his bid to win the championship, and his confirmation of his drive for 2027 is a significant step in the right direction.