P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff promised George Russell he would sleep well this summer. Seems that will be the case.
George Russell has confirmed that a new contract with Mercedes is inevitable and is just a matter of time, as he prepares to go on holiday. The contract negotiations with Russell and his teammate Kimi Antonelli have been in the spotlight recently, with Toto Wolff reportedly being in talks with Max Verstappen. The uncertainty around Verstappen’s contract clause, allowing him to leave Red Bull if not in the top three in the standings by the summer break, added to the drama. Following the Belgian Grand Prix, where it became clear that Verstappen couldn’t be caught for third place, Wolff’s approach shifted, considering other options. Despite the speculation, Verstappen reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull for 2026, but there’s a condition that he must be in the top two by the midseason to stay for 2027. Russell, after his third-place finish in Hungary, expressed his relaxation as negotiations continue calmly, emphasizing the importance of building the relationship with the team properly without rushing the process.
