Russell shocks the F1 paddock! 'Mercedes and Max Verstappen conversations are ongoing'

21:07, 26 Jun

Updated: 08:30, 27 Jun

byNorberto Mujica

George Russell is currently having his best F1 season so far, constantly maximising his Mercedes package. However his contract renewal is not yet signed, and according to the Briton's words, Mercedes and Max Verstappen are currently 'in the middle of conversations.'

When asked by Sky Sports about how his contract negotations were going with Mercedes' team principal and CEO Toto Wolff, Russell said: "No major updates yet."

“It’s not something that I’m pressing massively because, as I’ve always said, the performance is the priority, and I feel with the performance I’m showing at the moment – still in line with the performance I’ve shown over all these years – I’ve got zero reasons to be worried. But obviously, it does help if there was pen on paper. But let’s see.”

Russell blows Verstappen-Mercedes conversations wide open

Throughout the majority of the 2024 F1 season, Wolff did not hide his intentions of bringing Verstappen to Mercedes. As far as if that continues to be the case or not this season, Russell makes a shocking revelation.

“From my side, I don’t think I have anything really to worry about. I think, as a team, it depends where you put your aspirations,” Russell explained.

“We’re second best at the moment, maybe third best. We might be overperforming slightly to be second best."

“As Mercedes, they want 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. So, it’s only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing."

Russell reveals Wolff sees him being on the same level as Verstappen

According the Canadian Grand Prix winner, his Mercedes drive is not at risk, meaning if a Mercedes driver is to make way for Verstappen it will be rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

“But from my side, if I’m performing as I’m doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula 1 team.”

“Toto has made it clear to me that he thinks how I’m performing this year is as good as anybody."

“I think there’s only one driver that you can debate in terms of performance – these are his words, these are not my words – so that’s why I have no concern about the future."

“But there’s two seats at every team and I guess he needs to think, who are those two drivers going to be for those two seats, and I guess that’s what the delay is.”

Recently GPblog was able to confirm Verstappen was not planning to activate a clause that would trigger his exit ffrom Red Bull Racing.