Mercedes are his managers as well as his employers, which complicates the questions over negotiations regarding his contract with team principal Toto Wolff.

“Whenever we come to an agreement we will get it done but it has to work for both of us,” Russell said.

“Something we need to think about. What do they want and what do I want?

“We have been in a bit of a unique situation for the last few months, I don’t have huge power in this agreement. And maybe interests were not aligned for the last six months.

“But its my job to perform and reduce that risk

“I still trust Toto and the team will continue to support me, but for Kimi and me the last six months have not been the most assuring, and that is conflicting.”

Russell said he never had any real doubts about his future because he was performing to a high level, but he wants to take the forthcoming three-week summer break to think more carefully about his position.

“Conversations [about a new contract] have started, but we are now heading into the summer break,” he added.

“Toto and I have spoken a lot this week, but we haven’t spoken once about the contract, because we’re both trying to solve the car’s performance and get the team in the right place. And that’s genuine.

“And I personally want to go into the summer break and enjoy the only two weeks off I have in the year. I don’t want to be thinking about contracts. And there isn’t really a major time pressure now from my side, nor from Mercedes’ side.”