Mercedes talking to Verstappen for 2026 – Russell

George Russell claims Mercedes is enquiring about signing Max Verstappen for the upcoming season.

The 27-year-old Briton’s comments, which come to light a story that has always threatened to dominate Formula 1 this summer, are out of line with Mercedes for the following year.

Verstappen, the world champion, has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but it is said that the Dutchman has break clauses that he could use to resign.

Conversations with Verstappen players like that are only normal, according to Russell, who spoke to Sky Sports.

Russell continued, “Toto has made it clear to me that how I’m performing is as good as anyone else.

There is only one performance driver over which to debate. I have no concern for my future because he spoke these words, not my words.

However, every team has two seats, so I suppose he needs to consider which two drivers are those two.

Russell’s assertions suggest that Mercedes’ conversations with the four-time champion have delayed his own contract negotiations with team principal Toto Wolff.

When asked on Thursday whether he would be playing for the team the following year, Verstappen responded in a direct manner.

He said, “I don’t believe we need to discuss that.” It’s not really on my mind, he said. We focus on the following year after driving well and pushing the performance.

Verstappen might find it interesting to switch to Mercedes because of both their current performance and potential in the future.

Red Bull have lost the competitive edge that they once had when the most recent regulations for 2022 were first implemented, and since the middle of last year, their car has generally not been as good as the McLaren.

Verstappen has stated on numerous occasions that he does not believe this season’s title fight will be his real match. He leads McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 43 points, which puts him third overall.

Adrian Newey, a legend of design, has moved to Aston Martin, and Jonathan Wheatley, a sports director, has taken over as Red Bull’s sporting director.

Will Courtenay, the head strategist for Red Bull, has also been signed by McLaren, despite the fact that he is currently being held to his contract and won’t be able to leave until the following year.

Red Bull are believed to be behind Mercedes in developing the new engine needed for a significant rule change next year, which will see new cars and power-units in F1.

Verstappen’s father Jos’ bitter relationship with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner dates back to the sexual harassment allegations made against Horner by a female employee in December of that year.

Horner has always refuted the allegations, and two internal investigations have cleared him.

If Mercedes were to sign the Dutchman, it would be difficult to imagine the two working well together because of the difficult relationship between Russell and Verstappen.

Like the Briton, who is a Mercedes protege, is Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli, who is Russell’s team-mate this year.

At the Canadian Grand Prix, Wolff was asked about Russell’s future.

He stated, “We’ve come to a consensus on a timeline where we want to settle these issues, with triple headers getting out of the way and one race after the other in June and July, but we’re going to get there.”

Wolff responded, “We’re going to get there,” when asked directly if he would agree to a new deal with Russell. We know he can, so it isn’t dependent on whether he wins a race or whether he performs because he has been a junior at Mercedes since he was 16 as Kimi was.