P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has confirmed conversations are ongoing between Mercedes and Max Verstappen
George Russell believes it is natural for Mercedes to be in talks with Max Verstappen, which is affecting the delay in confirming his 2026 F1 future. Mercedes has yet to finalize their driver lineup for the next season, with Russell and Kimi Antonelli’s contracts still up in the air. Russell recently claimed Mercedes’ first win of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix, but his future with the team remains uncertain. Toto Wolff has been exploring the idea of bringing Verstappen to Mercedes as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. Despite the ongoing rumors, Verstappen has publicly stated his commitment to Red Bull. Russell, however, remains unfazed, emphasizing that as long as he continues to perform well, he has nothing to worry about in regards to his future in Formula 1.
