Toto Wolff has signalled a stunning openness to a probably explosive driver pairing, suggesting Max Verstappen may be a part of George Russell at Mercedes.
This comes as Russell, contemporary from a victory in Canada, believes talks with the four-time world champion and Mercedes are ongoing.
The British driver, who has been one of many grid’s standout performers this season, indicated that the continuing talks with Verstappen could be delaying the renewal of his personal deal, which is about to run out in six months.
The pair engaged in a heated confrontation following final December’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Extra just lately, Verstappen controversially accelerated into Russell’s Mercedes in the course of the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this month, a reckless manoeuvre that leaves the Dutchman only one penalty level away from a race ban for subsequent weekend’s British Grand Prix.
Such a high-stakes partnership inevitably attracts comparisons to the tumultuous relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
Their rivalry, whereas delivering three world championships for Mercedes, famously descended into chaos throughout their three years as teammates.
However, when requested if Verstappen may very well be paired with Russell, Wolff mentioned: “I can think about each line-up. I had Hamilton and Rosberg combating for a world championship so all the pieces afterwards is straightforward.
“There are professionals and cons to having two drivers combating one another onerous. We’ve got seen examples the place they’ve functioned and others the place they didn’t.”
Russell’s Italian team-mate Kimi Antonelli, 18, has impressed in his rookie season. Nonetheless, he’s beneath contract for this season solely, and has no assure of a seat with Mercedes past this 12 months. He’s 73 factors behind Russell within the standings.
Verstappen’s contract at Purple Bull runs till 2028, though efficiency clauses inside his present deal may activate an early launch.
Pressed instantly on whether or not he’s in dialogue with Verstappen, Wolff replied: “In the intervening time, clearly we have to discover what is occurring sooner or later.
“That doesn’t change what I take into consideration George, or Kimi or the line-up that I’m extraordinarily proud of. I need to have conversations behind-closed-doors and never on the town halls.”
It had been advised that Russell’s Mercedes extension may coincide together with his residence race at Silverstone subsequent weekend. Nonetheless, it’s understood {that a} contemporary deal for Russell, who’s 62 factors behind championship chief Oscar Piastri, will not be imminent.
And Wolff continued: “In terms of the contract state of affairs, our sport is strain, fixed strain, whether or not you’re contained in the automotive or exterior the automotive, and also you simply want to deal with that. George is aware of that.
“I really feel like when you find yourself put right into a consolation zone that’s extra detrimental to efficiency.
“He has at all times carried out to the expectations we have now set and he’s persevering with to take action. We’ve got not given him a automotive to win the world championship, and that’s on us.
“However within the occasions when the automotive has been good he’s profitable races, he’s at all times there and you recognize he’ll extract what’s within the automotive.
“He must be high of our listing as a result of he’s a winner, a Mercedes junior, and he has been with us for a very long time.”
