George Russell says Mercedes talks to Max Versaben delaying that he was offered to a new contract F1 news

George Russell suggested that Mercedes’s continuous endeavor to Restaben from Red Bull delays an extension of the expiration contract.

Russell has been one of the distinguished drivers on the network this season, and it appears to be more than Mercedes’ performance to the maximum to get victory the last time in Canada, along with four finishes on the platform before that.

The fact that Mercedes did not extend the 27 -year -old contract, who ends at the end of the season alongside his teenage teammate Kimon Antonelle for a year, was a surprise to many in the ring.

Both the driver and the team repeatedly reduced the importance of the deal that was not agreed upon, but we spoke before the Austrian Grand Prix race this week. Russell first admitted that he would “help”.

In response to a question about whether the talks were on a continuous deal, Russell said: “Yes, a little. There are no major updates yet.

“It is not something that I click on it greatly because, as I always said, the performance is the priority, and I feel the performance that I have shown at the present time – is still in line with the performance that I have shown throughout these years – I have zero causes of anxiety.

“But it is clear that it helps if there is a pen on paper. But let’s see.”

After Luis Hamilton decided before the beginning of last season that he would leave Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025, Toto Wolf, director of Silver Asurz, delivered a very public pursuit of the world champion four times Versaben.

After eventually gave the seat to the Italian youth Antonelle after I lost Versaben, Wolf has since dropped his interest in the Dutch, claiming repeatedly that he would not “flirt” outside the good situation he has with his current driver’s squad.

However, he later spoke on Thursday in an exclusive interview with Sky SPORTS F1Russell seems to indicate that he believes that Mercedes is still trying to sign Verstapen from Red Ball.

He said: “On my part, I do not think I have anything really worrying. I think, as one team, depends on where you put your aspirations.

“We are second at the present time, and perhaps the best in third place. We may be overly excessive performance until we are second.

“As Mercedes, they want to return to the top, and if you will return to the top, you must make sure that you get the best drivers, best engineers and the best hole crew, and this is what Mercedes chases.

“Therefore, it is normal for conversations with the proverbs of Verstapen continues. But on my part, if I do as I do, what should I feel? There are two seats in each Formula 1. 1.”

The correspondent of the contract explains “delay”

It remains to see whether Mercedes will try to get a Russssell with VersApet, given that the spouses have been deported severely and outside the path in the past 12 months, especially in an incredible war of words at the end of last year in Abu Dhabi.

In his group session with the broadcasting media on Thursday, without saying the name Verstapen, Russell seemed to hint that the potentially doubtful of himself with his opponent was a factor in not renewing his contract yet.

“Toto has explained that he is thinking that this year’s performance is good like anyone else,” Russell said.

“I think there is only one driver that you can discuss in terms of performance – these are his words, these are not my words – and for this reason I have no concern about the future.

“But there are two seats in each team and I think it needs to think, and these two drivers will be for these two seats, and I think this is the delay.”

After saying before his victory in Canada earlier in June, Russell repeated Al -Thiqa that he would be on the 2026 network, whether it was with Mercedes or anywhere else.

He said Sky SPORTS F1: “Certainly, I want to be in the seat that will give me the best opportunity to win, and in the end, nothing will make me happier than winning Mercedes because they were the ones who helped me get my opportunity and I built this relationship with everyone in this team.

“But at the present time, there is only one thing for me to focus on it and this leads quickly. If you are driving quickly, there is nothing to worry. If not, then this is when people start talking.”

VerstapPen: 2026 is not really in my mind

He conducted earlier that his media duties in front of Russell on Thursday in Austria, and he was asked earlier whether he was expected to drive his car to Red Bull next season.

He said: “I have received this question before in my life. I don’t think we need to talk about it. Do you want me to repeat what I said last year?

“Once again, this is not really in my mind. I just drive the car, try to pay the performance, then focus on next year.”

The short -term future is not certain in the early stages of this season, as speculation about the issuance item closed suggestions that it could be transferred to Mercedes or Aston Martin.

However, his comfortable position in the first four places of the arrangement of drivers, which will need to be outside the summer vacation to take the condition of release, has greatly seen threatening speculation.

The comments of Russell Al -Naqash are more likely to revive, as Wolf and Red Paul Christian Horner are interrogated on this topic throughout the weekend.

Austrian GP table for Sky SPORTS F1

Friday, June 27
8.50 am: F3 practice
10 am: F2 practice
12 pm: Austrian GP practice (one session begins at 12:30 pm) **
1.55 pm: f3 qualifiers*
2.50 pm: f2 qualifiers*
3.35 pm: Austrian GP practice (the session begins at 4 pm) **
5.15 pm: F1* Show*

Saturday, June 28
9am: f3 sprint
11.15 pm: The Austrian GP practice (the session begins at 11:30 am)
1.10 pm: f2 sprint
2.15 pm: Austrian rehabilitation accumulation of GP*
3 pm: Austrian GP qualification*
5 pm: qualification TED book

Sunday, June 29
7.25 in the morning: F3 Features
8.55 in the morning: F2 Features
10.40 AM: Porsche SuperCup
12.30 pm: Grand Prix Sunday: GP Build-up*
2 pm: Austrian Grand Prix*
4 pm: Flaging Flag: Austrian GP reaction*
5 pm: Ted Book

*Also at the main sky sports event

Then for the Formula 1 season, returns to Europe to the Austrian Grand Prix, who lives on Sky Sports F1 this week. Stream Sky SPORTS at now – no contract, cancellation at any time.