23/07/2025 14:48
George Russell has conceded it is "only normal" that Mercedes is
trying to sign Max Verstappen as he waits for a new contract. Both
Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli are out of contract at the end
of this season, with boss Toto Wolff exploring the possibility of
luring Max Verstappen from Red Bull. It is understood that a break
clause exists in Verstappen's contract whereby he can leave for
2026 if he is outside of the top three in the drivers' championship
by the summer, with the Dutchman currently 18 points ahead of
Russell in fourth. Russell has maintained throughout the uncertain
period that as long as he performs, he should earn an extension,
and has five podiums, including one win, from the first half of the
season. But reflecting on the situation, the Briton has conceded
that "it is only normal" Mercedes is exploring a deal for
Verstappen. "I think you are asking the wrong person to be
honest," Russell replied when asked by Sky Sports F1 why he had not
received a fresh contract. "As a team, it depends where you put
your aspirations, and we're second or third best at the moment, and
we might be over-performing slightly to be second-best. "But
Mercedes wants to be back on top, and if you're going to be back on
top, you need to make sure you've got the best drivers, the best
engineers, the best pit-crew, and that's what Mercedes are
chasing. "And so it is only normal that conversations with the
likes of Verstappen are ongoing, but from my side, if I am
performing as I am, what have I got to be concerned about? There
are two seats in every Formula 1 team."
