P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell is out of contract at Mercedes at the end of next year as Max Verstappen continues to be linked with a switch.
George Russell emphasized that he is not currently contemplating his future with Mercedes beyond the upcoming season, despite rumors suggesting his seat could be at risk. His contract with the team is set to expire at the end of 2025, and there are speculations about Mercedes attempting to attract reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen. With new technical regulations set to be implemented for the 2026 season, there is a possibility for a shift in the competitive landscape, similar to when Mercedes established dominance after the rule changes in 2014. While Russell acknowledges Mercedes’ promising outlook for the future, he remains focused on the present and is not overly concerned about what lies beyond next year. He also highlighted the competitive nature of Formula 1, noting that despite Mercedes’ strong performance potential, other teams using the same power unit could also pose significant challenges.
