P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has opened up on experiencing contractual uncertainty at Mercedes this season – and it may have affected him more than he first let on.
George Russell has acknowledged that Mercedes’ pursuit of Max Verstappen endangered his future with the F1 team, as their interests were not aligned during that period. Toto Wolff’s efforts to lure Verstappen away from Red Bull created an unsettling environment for Russell and his rookie teammate. Despite Wolff’s desire to continue with the current pairing, Verstappen was unable to activate a break clause in his contract due to his performance, tying him to Red Bull for another season. While a potential move in 2027 remains on the table, Russell and Antonelli are set to stay with Mercedes next year. This situation has brought to light Russell’s vulnerability and the conflicts of interest that arise when drivers are managed by the team itself. Reflecting on his position, Russell emphasized the need to perform and mitigate any risks to his career.
