P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell is still waiting to sign a new Mercedes contract as Max Verstappen rumours persist.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff firmly stated that George Russell will not have to wait for months to sign a new contract with Mercedes, despite ongoing rumors linking the team to Max Verstappen.
Last season, Mercedes was highly rumored to be pursuing Red Bull’s four-time F1 champion Verstappen, especially after Lewis Hamilton’s shocking announcement of leaving the team for Ferrari.
Though Wolff kept the speculation alive, he eventually signed Kimi Antonelli instead of Verstappen, confirming the decision only at the Italian Grand Prix in September.
Russell’s contract with Mercedes expires this year, but both Wolff and Russell have not expressed any urgency for an extension, despite the recent Verstappen transfer talks causing confusion.
Wolff assured that a new deal for Russell, who is currently in his fourth season with Mercedes, will be finalized soon, clarifying that the negotiations will not drag on until September as they are perfectly aligned on the matter.
