P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell needs a new contract for next season, with Guenther Steiner wondering if his demands are causing a headache for Mercedes in its pursuit of Max Verstappen.
Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes George Russell is creating a problem for Mercedes in their pursuit of signing Max Verstappen from Red Bull. Russell’s contract situation, along with Kimi Antonelli’s, has led to speculation about Verstappen potentially joining the Silver Arrows. There is a belief that if Toto Wolff convinces Verstappen to join Mercedes, it would likely be to partner with Antonelli. Russell’s discussions with Mercedes about renewal have reportedly been affected by talks with Verstappen, despite his strong performance this season. Steiner suggests that Russell may be seeking a longer contract than Mercedes is offering to possibly attract Verstappen in 2027. The situation raises questions about Mercedes’ plans for the future and the dynamics between Russell, Verstappen, and Antonelli in potential driver line-ups.
