F1 legend David Coulthard has labelled George Russell’s contract state of affairs at Mercedes as “barely weird”, with uncertainty lingering over his future amid hypothesis round Max Verstappen.
Heading into this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Mercedes are but to announce their F1 driver line-up for subsequent yr.
Russell and Kimi Antonelli are out of contract for 2026.
With Pink Bull struggling for type on observe, Verstappen’s future has continued to be within the highlight.
Verstappen has been closely linked with Mercedes over the past yr.
Mercedes thought-about Verstappen a possible Lewis Hamilton alternative, however the Dutchman wasn’t enthusiastic about a transfer.
With fully new technical rules coming into play for 2026, the present pecking order will probably be flipped on its head.
Whispers within the paddock have hinted that Mercedes would be the staff to beat subsequent yr, significantly on the ability unit aspect.
Chatting with F1’s official web site, Coulthard instructed that if Mercedes needed to vary their line-up, Russell shouldn’t be changed.
“Then George not being formally signed is barely weird,” Coulthard stated.
“Primarily based on the efficiency proper now, even when there was a change in Mercedes’ line-up, you wouldn’t suppose it might be George who can be the change.
“There are some things we’re all ready on to fall into place.”
Russell centered on efficiency
Russell has insisted he’s not fearful about his future, given his spectacular performances in 2025.
Alongside Verstappen, Russell has arguably been the best-performing driver this season.
“It’s not one thing that I’m urgent massively as a result of, as I’ve all the time stated, the efficiency is the precedence, and I really feel with the efficiency I’m exhibiting in the meanwhile – nonetheless consistent with the efficiency I’ve proven over all these years – I’ve acquired zero causes to be fearful. However clearly it does assist if there was pen on paper,” he stated earlier this yr.
“I don’t have to chase as a result of I really feel that I’m doing an excellent job. It goes each methods – I want them, they want me, and that’s the way it goes. Mercedes are so bold, they need to be again on prime.
“They should perceive and suppose how are they going to convey Mercedes again on prime. It’s essential have the very best staff principal, you’ll want to have the very best drivers in your automotive, you’ll want to have the very best engineers inside your staff.
“Toto has made it clear to me that he thinks how I’m performing this yr is pretty much as good as anyone. I feel there’s just one driver you could debate by way of efficiency, these are his phrases not my phrases.
“In order that’s why I’ve no concern concerning the future, however there’s two seats to each staff and I assume he must suppose who’re these two drivers going to be for these two seats. I assume that’s what the delay is.”
