George Russell 'talking to multiple F1 teams' as Mercedes bid to pinch Max Verstappen

Martin Brundle has dropped a bombshell by saying that George Russell is "making contact with other teams" amidst swirling rumours that Max Verstappen could switch to Mercedes. At the Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff didn't shy away from the speculation, confirming the team's interest in the four-time world champion. "It's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing," declared Wolff.

"As a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world it is clear you're exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future." With Russell out of contract soon, Brundle disclosed that the British racer is proactively reaching out to potential new teams.

When probed about the implications of such a high-profile move for Russell, Brundle said to Sky Sports F1: "I think it would. I think Mercedes and Toto, in particular, are so invested in Kimi Antonelli as the future star and I know that George has been making contact with other teams.

"Would they want to risk putting Antonelli, their future star, up against Max Verstappen? Max has broken a lot of team-mates because of speed. Would they want to lose George Russell? One of their own, who they manage.

"And Max comes with a little bit of baggage - it's not the easiest group to handle. And he's broken his team-mates. We'll have to wait and see exactly how that plays out. But I can see why... if you're running a Formula 1 team and Verstappen is in the marketplace, you've got to consider hiring him."

Brundle also holds the view that Red Bull could face a "pretty dire" situation without Verstappen, noting: "What do we know that's factual? George Russell has not been announced for next year, and that's highly unusual because he's doing a brilliant job for Mercedes.

"He's a long-standing Mercedes driver and he's picked up the mantle beautifully after Lewis Hamilton's exit. So, for him to be hanging there still without clarity as we head into the halfway point of the season is unusual.

"And nobody is absolutely, categorically denying that Max Verstappen is talking to Mercedes - that's Mercedes or team Verstappen, so something's up. You have a thing called the Contract Recognition Board in F1 where everybody's contract is lodged centrally in Switzerland, and any disputes are handled like that.

"But can you keep an unhappy driver in the seat? From Mercedes' point of view, it would not only give them the fastest driver on the grid right now, it also takes him away from Red Bull. And if you took Verstappen out of Red Bull's results in recent seasons, that would look pretty dire."