P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Russell claims Verstappen ‘confrontation inevitable’
George Russell has revealed a key reason why Mercedes did not put more effort into signing Max Verstappen, as the Dutchman confirmed his stay with Red Bull for the 2026 season after the summer break. This led to both Russell and Kimi Antonelli securing new contracts with Mercedes. Russell indicated that he was not concerned about losing his seat and mentioned the potential challenges of having two exceptional drivers in one team. The strained relationship between Russell and Verstappen contributed to the decision to keep Antonelli over Verstappen as a teammate at Mercedes. The possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes in 2027 remains uncertain, depending on how the drivers can mend their relationship. Verstappen will assess the new regulations in the 2026 season before making any decisions about his future beyond that year, potentially leading to changes in the driver lineup at Mercedes.
