P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell is out of contract at Mercedes at the end of the year.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hinted that George Russell is likely to continue with the team despite contract extension delays. Russell, affiliated with Mercedes since 2017, stepped into a team leader role following the departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari. Wolff has shown long-term interest in signing Max Verstappen from Red Bull amid ongoing speculation about the latter’s future. Russell’s recent victory in Canada prompted questions about his future, with Wolff acknowledging his growth and progress within the team. Wolff suggested that a deal with Russell could be finalized during the summer, emphasizing the driver’s talent and his natural evolution within the team since joining Williams.
