George Russell: Max Verstappen to Mercedes hypothesis comprehensible – there are not any laborious emotions | F1 Information

George Russell says he has “no laborious emotions” about hypothesis linking Max Verstappen with Mercedes and is in “no rush” together with his personal contract negotiations to remain on the crew.

Neither Russell nor team-mate Kimi Antonelli has been confirmed to retain a Mercedes seat for 2026, and earlier this yr there was hypothesis Verstappen may make a shock swap to Mercedes following Pink Bull’s disappointing begin to the season.

Since then, Pink Bull have gotten nearer to McLaren and Verstappen added to his win in Suzuka with victory in Imola, however he stays is third within the Drivers’ Championship, 43 factors behind chief Oscar Piastri.

Final yr, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made a public try and signal Verstappen however advised Sky Sports activities F1 three months in the past in March {that a} shock transfer for the reigning world champion was “not on the radar”.

Sky Sports activities Information understands Verstappen has a clause in his contract that may enable him to depart Pink Bull after this season, within the unlikely state of affairs he isn’t within the high 4 of the Drivers’ Championship initially of the F1 summer time break, following the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 3.

Verstappen is at the moment 41 factors forward of fifth-placed Charles Leclerc, with Russell fourth within the standings.

“There have not been any laborious emotions with any of the talks which were going round, particularly round Max,” stated Russell following his triumph on the Canadian Grand Prix.

“Like I stated quite a few occasions, why would not groups be occupied with Max? If each driver had no contracts for subsequent yr, Max can be No 1 for each single crew. And that is comprehensible.

“However in the end, there are two seats for each race crew. I knew if I proceed to carry out as I am doing, my place wouldn’t be underneath menace by any means. So, I really feel in a great place.”

Russell: I am not speaking to some other F1 groups

On Monday, Autosport reported Russell has been focused by Aston Martin to guide their revival from 2026, regardless of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll having contracts for subsequent season.

Talking earlier than that report emerged, Russell insists he sees his future being at Mercedes.

“I am not speaking with anyone else and any groups who’ve proven curiosity,” he stated.

“I’ve been fairly open to say my intentions are to stick with Mercedes. That is at all times been clear. And I’m loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this opportunity to get into Method 1.”

Russell added: “We’re in no rush to do contract negotiations. We wish to win collectively, particularly Kimi and I being team-mates now.

“We’re getting a consequence like Canada, each junior drivers from Mercedes. We’re each doing the job by way of efficiency. Why would you wish to change one thing that is working?”

Wolff: Russell contract ‘all on plan’

Russell joined Mercedes from Williams in 2022 and has asserted himself because the crew’s lead driver following the departure of Lewis Hamilton on the finish of final yr.

The 27-year-old scored simply two fewer factors than Hamilton over their three campaigns as team-mates and unquestionably had the higher hand over the seven-time world champion of their final season.

He has continued that sturdy kind this yr with 4 podiums, plus Mercedes’ first victory of 2025 on the Canadian Grand Prix.

“He is been so lengthy with us,” stated Mercedes crew principal Wolff.

“He is rising and the steps he is made out of that younger driver in Williams, then coming to Mercedes at a troublesome time, being on par with Lewis, and since Lewis left, being clearly the senior driver within the crew, and it comes pure.

“It is not like there’s some politics. He is simply taken the place that he deserves and deserves. The atmosphere within the crew is nice, and we have agreed on some sort of timeline once we wish to settle these items.

“With triple-headers getting out of the way in which, then one race after the opposite in June and July, however we’ll get there.

“He is been a Mercedes junior since he was 2016. It is not depending on whether or not he wins a race or performs as a result of we all know he can.”

Requested by Sky Sports activities Information on the premiere of the F1 film a few new contract for Russell, Wolff concluded: “[It is] all on plan”.

Brundle on Russell’s ‘excellent’ Canada efficiency and his future

Sky Sports activities F1’s Martin Brundle:

“Canada was the right efficiency from George. Pole place, quickest lap, race win – fairly untroubled.

“When George will get up entrance like that, you do not marvel how he is going to deal with the stress. You do not even give it some thought.

“You understand he is not going to grab his brakes or make a foolish mistake. He is on it and he is acquired the pace, the consistency, the self-confidence, and it got here via once more in Canada.

“We noticed final yr he just about acquired the higher hand on Lewis. He is flourished as crew chief. He is out of the shadow of Lewis, who he nonetheless refers to as ‘the GOAT’, which I respect, and says, ‘I discovered from Lewis’.”

Brundle on why Mercedes are but to agree a brand new contract with Russell:

“Former McLaren boss Ron Dennis used to say, ‘what is the level in making a choice early if you happen to’ve acquired the higher hand on a contractual place?’ It is a bit like touchdown with a variety of runway behind you. It is no good to you.

“I believe they suppose it is pushing George on. Possibly they suppose, ‘George goes properly on this setting, let’s not waste the runway’.”

Subsequent up for the 2025 Method 1 season is a return to Europe for the Austrian Grand Prix, which is reside on Sky Sports activities F1 from June 27-29. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.