Russell’s situation took a fresh twist after his own claim that “ongoing” talks between Verstappen and Mercedes were influencing his wait for a new deal, team principal Toto Wolff and Verstappen yet to shut down the idea that this union could come to be for F1 2026.

Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle has opened up on his feelings about an 'embarrassing' situation for F1 star George Russell. Russell has been an almost passively involved figure in the Max Verstappen contract saga, being forced to publicly wait for his own future to be decided as his Mercedes team attempt to poach the reigning world champion.