Nico Rosberg has questioned whether discussions with Max Verstappen could be behind the hold-up in Mercedes penning George Russell to a new deal in Formula 1.
Russell’s situation has become the most disputed talking point in the driver market amid his revelation earlier this month that talks over a renewal haven’t progressed.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has expressed his commitment to extending Russell, but Verstappen indicating that he is available might prompt him to revise that stance.
Wolff harbours a long-standing interest in Verstappen, with Russell acknowledging that Mercedes would be interested should his rival voice a desire to leave Red Bull.
That has provoked Rosberg to theorise that renewed conversations between Wolff and the reigning F1 champion’s camp could be stalling the agreement with Russell.
“Red Bull is not stupid,” the 2026 F1 champion said on Sky Deutschland. “They paid Max a fortune and signed him for several years. I don’t think he can just run away.
“But you can’t force you to stay. If he wants to leave, you have to accept it at some point.
“On the other hand, there is also the George Russell situation at Mercedes.
“There is some delay in it, because Toto Wolff should actually sign him now. This is his number one driver, his performance this season is mega again.
“Maybe there are some talks in the background with the Verstappen side.”
Wolff insists Russell remains Mercedes’ priority
Russell, who is rumoured to be on both Aston Martin and Red Bull’s radar, bolstered his negotiating position at the Canadian Grand Prix as he converted pole position.
Wolff has conveyed that Russell’s win has not changed the circumstances, however, citing the two are still awaiting a suitable moment to thrash out the minor details.
“The ambience in the team is great,” Wolff, who paired teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli with Russell, told media including Motorsport Week.
“We must wait on some kind of timeline when we want to settle these things.
“With triple headers getting out of the way and one race after the other now in June and July. But we’re going to get there.
“He’s been a Mercedes junior in the same way that Kimi was since he was 16. So it isn’t dependent on whether he wins a race, whether he performs, because we know he can.”
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For me it’d be a pity if Mercedes sign Max, mess up their image and the vibe around the team which is great at the moment with two charismatic drivers. They’d have Jos in the garage. And we can see they can win without Max, same as McLaren.