George Russell admits Max Verstappen could be on…

George Russell says progress over a fresh Mercedes Formula 1 contract has been put aside as the team focuses on improving its fortunes in 2025, but has "no concerns" about the team potentially pursuing Max Verstappen.

While Verstappen and Russell have met on the track several times - most recently in Barcelona - the names have been interlinked off the track, particularly when it comes to a Mercedes seat for next season.

The contracts of both drivers currently driving for the Silver Arrows expire at the end of this year, theoretically opening a seat should Mercedes choose not to continue with one of its charges.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is seen as the future of the team due to his young age, while Russell is trying to develop more into a team leader after the departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.

Talks between Russell and team boss Toto Wolff about a new contract had been opened thanks to the Briton's strong start to the year, although Russell says the team has "bigger fish to fry" in 2025.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes (Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images)

Aside from this, Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028 but, as reported by Motorsport.com, Verstappen is believed to have a clause in his contract to exit the Red Bull team for 2026 if he is not within the top four of the drivers' championship by the end of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.

Verstappen is currently 43 points clear of fifth-placed Charles Leclerc as it stands, having dropped points thanks to his penalty for hitting Russell at Barcelona. This apparent clause will be closed if he remains over 25 points clear by the end of the weekend.

The contract may contain further clauses and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner previously acknowledged that you cannot keep someone somewhere 'just on the basis of a piece of paper' - certainly not if the ambition lies elsewhere.

"No real conversations to be honest because we've got bigger fish to fry at the moment, which is making our car go faster," Russell explained on Thursday in Montreal.

"I know I'm going to be in Formula 1 next year. My intention and goal is to stay with Mercedes and I think that's very much the intention of Toto as well.

George Russell, Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Mercedes (Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images)

"To be honest, there's no real reason for either of us to deviate."

It means that Mercedes is, whether by accident or by design, keeping its options open - which Russell himself acknowledged during the media day in Canada.

Of his own volition, Russell then took an interesting turn in his answer and spoke about the chances of Verstappen being available - completely unprompted by the question asked.

"It's understandable, the likes of Max have always been on the radar because why wouldn't he be on the radar? He's one of the GOATs and I get that," offered Russell.

"But then it's down to you to prove your worth. And I feel I've done that time and time again over the course of seven years in F1 and my whole career. So I've got no concerns."