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George Russell suggested that the continuation of the Mercedes of Max Verstappen de Red Bull delays an extension of his expired contract.
Russell was one of the exceptional grid drivers this season, constantly seeming to maximize the performances of his Mercedes to win the victory last time in Canada, as well as four podiums before that.
The fact that Mercedes did not extend the 27 -year contract, which expires at the end of the season with his teenager teammate Kimi Antonelli, was a surprise for many in the paddock.
The driver and the team both played several times the importance of an agreement having not been agreed, but speaking before the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, Russell for the first time admitted that “would help him”.
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Speaking in May 2025, Toto Wolff said that he would not drag the contractual interviews with George Russell.
When asked if discussions on an agreement were underway, Russell said: “Yes, a little. No major updates.
“It is not something that I do massively because, as I have always said, performance is priority, and I think with the performance that I am showing at the moment – always online with the performance I have shown during all these years – I have no reason to worry.
“But obviously, it helps if there was a pen on paper. But let’s see.”
After Lewis Hamilton decided before the start of last season, which he would leave Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025, the director of the Silver Arrows team Toto Wolff made a very public prosecution of the Quadruple World Champion Verstappen.
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The Max Verstappen of Red Bull entered controversial collision with George Russell towards the end of the Spanish Grand Prix – winning a 10 second penalty.
Having finally given the headquarters to the young Italian Antonelli after having missed Verstappen, Wolff has since played his interest in the Dutch, saying several times that he will not “flirt” outside the right situation he has with his current driver range.
However, speaking later Thursday in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports F1Russell seemed to suggest that he believes that Mercedes always tries to sign Verstappen by Red Bull.
He said, “For my part, I don’t think I have something to fear. I think, as a team, it depends on where you put your aspirations.
“We are the second best at the moment, maybe the third best. We could perform too much to be the second best.
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George Russell takes a search at Max Verstappen after having beaten him to take the post in Montreal.
“As Mercedes, they want to be back on top, and if you are going to be back in mind, you need to make sure you have the best drivers, the best engineers, the best team of stands, and that’s what Mercedes is pursuing.
“So, it is normal that the conversations with Verstappen are in progress. But for my part, if I play as I do, what should I worry? There are two seats in each team of Formula 1.”
Russell explains the contractual “delay”
It remains to be seen if Mercedes would try to associate Russell with Verstappen, since the pair has ended up intensely on the track in the last 12 months, especially in an incredible war of words in the final of last year in Abu Dhabi.
During his group session with the radio media on Thursday, without saying that the name of Verstappen, Russell seemed to refer to this possible doubt about the fact of associating with his rival was a factor on the reason why his contract has not yet been renewed.
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Craig Slater examined more closely how Qatar’s penalty spinoffs degenerated between George Russell and Max Verstappen after George labeled the Red Bull driver as a “intimidator”.
“Toto clearly told me that he thinks that the way I played this year is as good as anyone,” said Russell.
“I think there is only one pilot that you can debate in terms of performance – these are his words, these are not my words – that’s why I have no concerns about the future.
“But there are two seats in each team and I suppose that he must think, who are these two pilots who will be for these two seats, and I suppose it is the delay.”
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Following the GP AuStalian, Max Verstappen was asked about his relationship with George Russell after the two fell last season.
After saying before his victory in Canada earlier in June, Russell reiterated that he will be on the 2026 grid, whether with Mercedes or elsewhere.
He said Sky Sports F1: “Understanding, I want to be in the siege that will give me the best chance of winning, and finally, nothing would make me happier than winning with Mercedes because they are the ones who helped me get my opportunity and I established such a relationship with everyone in this team.
“But at the moment, there is only one thing on which I focus on and it drives quickly. If you drive quickly, there is nothing to fear. And if you are not, that’s when people start to speak.”
Verstappen: 2026 not really in my mind
Driver of his media tasks before Russell Thursday in Austria, Verstappen had previously asked if he expected to drive for Red Bull next season.
He said, “I already had this question in my life. I don’t think we have to talk about it. You want me to repeat what I said last year?
“Once again, it’s not really in my mind. I just drive, trying to push performance, then we focus on next year.”
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Max Verstappen brilliantly won the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagne as Red Bull Win during their 400th F1 race weekend.
Verstappen’s short -term future seemed uncertain in the early stages of the season, because speculation on a liberation clause fueled the suggestions he could move to Mercedes or Aston Martin.
However, his comfortable position in the first four in the pilot ranking, which he would need to be outside the summer break to trigger the Liberation clause, had largely seen calm speculation.
Russell’s comments are likely to revive the discussion, with Wolff and the counterpart Red Bull Christian Horner, who are interrupted on the subject throughout the weekend.
Austrian GP schedule of Sky Sports F1
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Return to some of the most dramatic moments over the years at the Austrian Grand Prix
Friday June 27
8:50 am: F3 Practical
10 am: F2 Practical
12 noon: Austrian GP practices one (the session starts at 12:30 p.m.) *
1:55 p.m.: F3 Qualify *
2:50 p.m.: F2 Qualification *
3:35 p.m.: Austrichia GP practices two (the session starts at 4 p.m.) *
5:15 p.m.: The show F1 *
Saturday June 28
9 am: F3 Sprint
11:15 p.m.: Austrichia GP practices three (the session starts at 11:30 am)
1:10 p.m.: F2 Sprint
2:15 p.m.: Austrian GP qualification accumulation *
3 p.m.: Austrian GP qualification *
5 p.m.: Ted’s qualification book
Sunday June 29
7:25 am: F3 functionalities race
8:55 am: F2 functionality breed
10:40 am: Porsche Supercup
12:30 p.m.: Grand Prix Sunday: Austria GP Build-Up *
2 p.m.: The Austrian Grand Prix *
4 p.m.: Checkered flag: Austrian GP reaction *
5 p.m.: Ted’s notebook
* Also on the main event of Sky Sports
The next step for the Formula 1 2025 season is a return to Europe for the Austrian Grand Prix, which is live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Stream Sky Sports with now – no contract, cancel at any time.
