Brundle: Russell being “hung out to dry” amid Mercedes Verstappen talks

Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle has claimed that George Russell is not being treated fairly amid the ongoing talks between Mercedes and four-time champion Max Verstappen.

The British driver’s contract with the Brackley outfit expires at the end of the 2025 season. Despite impressing in the first half of the season and clinching the win in Canada, Russell is still waiting for pen to be put to paper for next year onwards. Russell and team chief Toto Wolff have both confirmed that talks are currently ongoing between the squad and Verstappen – although Wolff claimed there is little probability that this will come to fruition for next year.

“No, I don’t think he is,” Brundle explained on Sky Sports F1 when asked if he felt Russell was being treated fairly. “I think that he’s been hung out to dry a little bit.

“He’s doing a brilliant job of leading the Mercedes team. He’s picked up the mantle from Lewis Hamilton very well. It must be super uncomfortable for him and a bit embarrassing that, you know, he’s sitting there waiting, unless stuff’s going on behind the scenes, but if it is, why are they not saying so?

“Of course, Max Verstappen – I think everybody accepts he’s the fastest one on the grid – comes with certain challenges as well. But it’s a very difficult situation.

“But that’s the crucible of Formula 1. That there is the shark pool out there and, you know what, if you’re a team principal, don’t make a decision ’til you really have to.

“And in fact, we’re going to ask Christian [Horner] after FP1, ‘Is there any way that Max can actually get out of his Red Bull contract?’

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

“What it’ll be, if ever you needed a crystal ball and we tried to get them when we were drivers, if ever it’s gonna be more opaque, it’s now. Because next season, new chassis, new engine, Red Bull are debutantes making their own engines. That’s a big, tall order. And I’m sure Max has got some nervousness.”

Wolff discussed the probability of Verstappen joining the Silver Arrows during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.

“I think when you look at the situation we have with Kimi and George, we have a perfect line-up that we very much enjoy and that we believe is the future,” Wolff explained to Sky Sports F1.

“But, at the same time, there is a four-time world champion that needs to decide what he is going to do in the future, and that is just, as a team principal, you need to see where that is going.

“But I think I give it a very little probability that it’s going to happen.”

Photos from British GP – Practice