George Russell says Mercedes are still in talks to sign Max Verstappen after Christian Horner's Red Bull exit; watch the Belgian Grand Prix sprint weekend – which starts with practice at 11.30am and sprint qualifying at 3.30pm on Friday – live on Sky Sports F1.
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George Russell is confident about his future at Mercedes, saying his contract talks are progressing and that he has “no doubt” about his place in Formula 1 next year.
George Russell has claimed Mercedes are still in talks with Max Verstappen and laughed off suggestions the Silver Arrows had leaked their talks with the Dutchman to put pressure on Red Bull, calling them a “f***ing conspiracy”.
Russell reignited speculation over Verstappen's future at Red Bull when he told Sky Sports F1 at the Austrian Grand Prix in June that his contract extension was on hold due to Mercedes' pursuit of the four-time reigning world champion, before team principal Toto Wolff confirmed talks were ongoing.
Christian Horner was sacked as Red Bull team principal and chief executive after the next round of the 2025 season at Silverstone in July, with speculation swirling that the decision was made to bolster the Milton Keynes-based team's hopes of keeping Verstappen.
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Speaking publicly for the first time since Horner's sacking ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff played down the prospect of Verstappen joining Mercedes next season and said he expected Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli to continue racing in 2026.
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Toto Wolff previously reported that Mercedes were in talks with Max Verstappen.
Asked whether the revelation of the talks was part of a Mercedes ploy, Russell replied: “It's a hell of a conspiracy!”
Speaking about Mercedes' talks with Verstappen, Russell continued: “They were and are, that's normal. Everyone talks.”
“Long-term plans also come into play. Riders and teams are thinking not only about the coming year, but also about two, three, four, five years.”
“It's all happening very quickly. I know that as long as I'm performing, I have nothing to worry about, and it doesn't mean that I'm going to stay or not stay or anything else is going to happen.
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Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda reveal former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was in touch with them ahead of Belgian Grand Prix
“The last couple of months have been an interesting time for me in terms of understanding everything that has happened.
“Now I’ve decided not to worry about it at all, because I know that the main thing is to drive fast on the track, and whatever happens, happens.”
Russell: The facts indicate that my job is safe.
Russell had a strong first half of the season, taking a win and four podiums despite Mercedes falling well short of the dominant McLaren and often lagging behind Ferrari and Verstappen's Red Bull.
He has significantly outpaced his rookie team-mate Antonelli: Russell, who is fourth in the overall drivers' standings, leads the Italian teenager by 84 points.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, George Russell admitted it is normal for Mercedes to mix with other drivers but he is not bothered by it given his strong results this season.
He added: “It doesn't really affect me at all. I don't lose sleep over it, I don't think about it at all because, as I've always said, the best thing you can do is go fast on the track.”
“Of course, we are talking in the background. I have absolutely nothing to worry about, but I have nothing to announce either.
“I don't think the situation we're in now is abnormal. On my part, there's no tension because there are two cars per team.
“I'm playing as well as I've ever played. I'm bringing in the majority of the points for the team. So, if you look at things objectively, my job is safe.
“That's why I'm not worried at all. If I stop playing, maybe I should worry, but I should worry more about my game and not about the future.”
Belgian Grand Prix schedule live from Sky Sports F1
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Recall the most dramatic moments of the Belgian Grand Prix throughout the years
Friday, July 25
7:55am: F3 workout
9:05: F2 training
11:00: First practice for the Belgian Grand Prix (session starts at 11:30)
12:55: F3 qualifying
13:50: F2 qualifying
15:00: Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying (race starts at 15:30)
Saturday 26th July
8:10am: Formula 3 Sprint
10:00: Belgian Grand Prix, Sprint (lights out at 11:00)
12:20: Ted from his sprint notebook
12:40: Formula 2 Sprint
14:00: Belgian Grand Prix qualifying (session starts at 15:00)
17:00: Ted's Qualification Notebook
Sunday, July 27
7:25am: Formula 3 main race
8:55am: Formula 2 main race
10.40: Race for the Porsche Super Cup.
12:30: Sunday Grand Prix: Preparation for the Belgian Grand Prix*
14:00: BELGIUM GRAND PRIX*
16:00: Checkered flag: Belgian Grand Prix reaction*
17:00: Ted's Diary
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
The 2025 Formula 1 season resumes this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix, a sprint format once again broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Watch Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime.
Sourse: skysports.com
