George Russell says he has “no onerous emotions” about Max Verstappen being linked to his Mercedes Formulation 1 seat for 2025.
Verstappen’s long-term future at Crimson Bull has come beneath elevated scrutiny amid the workforce’s robust begin to the season.
Whereas the four-time world champion is contracted to Crimson Bull by way of to the tip of 2028, the workforce has publicly acknowledged that his deal contains an exit clause that may very well be triggered on the finish of this 12 months.
In keeping with stories, the clause is linked to Verstappen’s place within the drivers’ standings on the summer season break.
Ought to he determine to go away, Mercedes is seen as a number one contender for his companies, with workforce boss Toto Wolff having beforehand made overtures to signal the Dutchman
Neither Russell nor team-mate Kimi Antonelli are at the moment confirmed for subsequent season. However ought to Mercedes transfer for Verstappen, it’s seemingly Russell can be the one to make means, with Antonelli seen as central to the workforce’s long-term future.
Russell, nonetheless, insists he’s unfazed by the hypothesis surrounding Verstappen or its potential implications for his personal seat.
“There have not been any onerous emotions with any of the talks which have been going round, particularly round Max,” mentioned Canadian GP winner Russell.
“Like I mentioned quite a few occasions, why would not groups be eager about Max? If each driver had no contracts for subsequent 12 months, Max can be No 1 for each single workforce. And that is comprehensible.
“However in the end, there are two seats for each race workforce. I knew if I proceed to carry out as I am doing, my place wouldn’t be beneath risk in anyway. So, I really feel in a very good place.”
Throughout the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Russell was additionally linked to a shock swap to Aston Martin, with stories suggesting the Silverstone-based squad is searching for a star driver for the following period of F1.
Russell has at all times maintained that staying at Mercedes is his precedence, having been backed by the German producer because the early days of his junior profession.
“I am not speaking with anyone else and any groups who’ve proven curiosity,” he mentioned.
“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 Formulation 1.”
“We’re in no rush to do contract negotiations. We need to win collectively, particularly Kimi and I being team-mates now.
“We’re getting a outcome like Canada, each junior drivers from Mercedes. We’re each doing the job when it comes to efficiency. Why would you need to change one thing that is working?”
Russell has taken over the function of workforce order at Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton’s shock departure to Ferrari in 2025.
After the opening 10 races of the season, he sits a powerful fourth within the drivers’ standings, whereas his performances have additionally performed a task in Mercedes cementing its grip on second place within the constructors’ championship.
Whereas an extension to his present deal is extensively anticipated, the delay in finalising phrases has fuelled exterior hypothesis.
“He is been so lengthy with us,” mentioned Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff.
“He is rising and the steps he is constructed from that younger driver in Williams, then coming to Mercedes at a tough time, being on par with Lewis, and since Lewis left, being clearly the senior driver within the workforce, 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 workforce is nice, and we have agreed on some type of timeline after we need to settle these items.
“With triple-headers getting out of the best way, then one race after the opposite in June and July, however we’ll get there.
“He is been a Mercedes junior since 2016. It is not depending on whether or not he wins a race or performs as a result of we all know he can.”
Pressed additional by Sky Sports activities about Russell’s contract scenario, Wolff added: “[It is] all on plan.”
