P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Carlos Sainz suggests George Russell is ‘hiding’ impact of uncertain F1 future
Carlos Sainz has suggested that George Russell may be concealing the effects of his uncertain future at Mercedes. Russell’s F1 prospects with Mercedes are in limbo due to the speculation surrounding Max Verstappen. Mercedes is eyeing the four-time world champion, who is tied to Red Bull until 2028, with Verstappen having an exit clause if he doesn’t end up in the top three of the championship. The media buzz around Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes overshadowed Thursday’s events. Both Mercedes drivers expressed assurance about their 2026 plans despite the uncertainty. Sainz, having experienced job uncertainty before joining Williams, empathizes with Russell’s predicament and the challenges it brings to a racer’s focus and team dynamic.
