George Russell has hinted that his contract talks with Mercedes are being delayed because the team still has hopes of signing reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen.
Russell, 27, who recently won the Canadian Grand Prix, is currently in the final year of his deal with Mercedes. Meanwhile, Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, although certain clauses could allow an early exit.
Speaking at the Austrian Grand Prix, Russell told Sky Sports that Mercedes are focused on returning to the top of the sport and naturally want the best talent in every area.
George Russell said that Mercedes are still interested in signing Max Verstappen
“To be the best, you need the best drivers, engineers, and crew. So, it’s understandable they’re in talks with someone like Verstappen,” Russell said. “But as long as I keep performing, I have nothing to worry about. Every team has two seats.”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had previously expressed interest in Verstappen, especially when searching for a successor to Lewis Hamilton. In the end, rookie Kimi Antonelli, 18, was given a seat and has impressed fans with his record-breaking performances.
Russell and Verstappen have had a tense rivalry on and off the track over the past year, which could make Mercedes cautious about pairing the two drivers.
Despite the speculation, Russell said Wolff has reassured him of his strong performance. “Toto told me that, aside from one driver, I’m performing as well as anyone on the grid. So I’m not worried,” Russell said. “He just needs to figure out which two drivers he wants in the team—that’s what’s causing the delay.”
When asked about his future during the FIA press conference, Verstappen avoided giving a clear answer: “Do you want me to repeat what I said last year? It’s not on my mind. I’m focused on driving and performance. We’ll see about next year.”
