George Russell has suggested his contract renewal talks with Mercedes are being held up because the team are still keen to sign Formula One champion Max Verstappen.

George Russell has been one of the top performers in 2025, consistently delivering strong results in the W16. Despite Mercedes lacking the raw pace to challenge McLaren, the British driver regularly finds himself fighting in the podium positions.

Could Max Verstappen scupper Russell’s Mercedes contract hopes? Russell is piecing together one of his strongest, most consistent seasons to date in F1 2025, and took to the top step of the podium for the first time this year in Canada.