Russell’s situation took a fresh twist after his own claim that “ongoing” talks between Verstappen and Mercedes were influencing his wait for a new deal, team principal Toto Wolff and Verstappen yet to shut down the idea that this union could come to be for F1 2026.

George Russell yesterday shrugged aside reports that he is set to be replaced at Mercedes by arch-rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull, saying he expects to

George Russell says there’s an “exceptionally low” chance he’ll leave Mercedes next year, even after he claimed the team was holding talks with Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.