George Russell reveals Mercedes delayed his contract extension amid Max Verstappen talks

Mercedes driver George Russell has made an explosive revelation that his team is currently engaged in talks with four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen over a future deal. Russell, who won the Canadian Grand Prix, made the mega revelation while discussing why he has not yet signed a contract extension with Mercedes.

Russell's contract with Mercedes ends in 2025 and Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull till 2028, but he has been linked with multiple teams since an alleged breakdown in his relationship with team boss Christian Horner.

Now, the media is speculating that Verstappen could replace either Russell or rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes.

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Russell's recent revelation has added weight to those rumours.

Russell reveals Mercedes are talking to Verstappen

While discussing his impending contract extension at Mercedes, Russell said he is currently focussed on only one thing, that is to do well in races. He is currently fourth in the Driver standings behind Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Verstappen.

“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 told Sky Sports.

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He added that Mercedes wants to be the best team in Formula 1 and that's why they are holding talks with reigning champion Verstappen to join their team.

“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 added.

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

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“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."

Antonelli may lose driver seat at Mercedes

Russell also suggested that he is not at risk of losing his spot at Mercedes and Antonelli could be shown the door in the future.

“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.”