George Russell has been one of many stand-out performers over the opening 4 rounds of the F1 season, and seems to be edging ever closer to a contract extension with Mercedes.
The British driver has taken a transparent step ahead this time period and has been the hallmark of consistency for the Brackley-based squad.
Not solely has he seamlessly assumed the function of crew chief, he has claimed three podium completed within the first 4 grands prix and sits simply 14 factors adrift of drivers’ championship chief Lando Norris.
Workforce principal Toto Wolff has spoken glowingly concerning the 27-year-old on quite a few events this time period, together with after the Bahrain Grand Prix when Russell somehow carried his “wounded” W16 across the line in second place and forward of the aforementioned McLaren driver, in quicker equipment.
Nevertheless, and though the three-time grand prix winner is reportedly near signing a 2+1 deal to stick with Mercedes, his current contract presently expires on the finish of the season and there stays the looming risk of Max Verstappen.
Wolff has lengthy been an admirer of the Dutchman and stated on numerous instances prior to now how a lot he want to signal him, even contending that its a partnership that has to occur in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.
That point may very well be coming. The four-time F1 drivers’ champion seems more and more annoyed with Crimson Bull’s declining powers and has been persistently linked with Mercedes over the previous yr – largely Wolff’s doing.
Verstappen is, in some ways, the one who acquired away for the Austrian, having slipped by his fingers a decade in the past.
The 53-year-old won’t be keen to let that occur to teenage star Kimi Antonelli, who’s having fun with a powerful begin to life in F1, which suggests if anybody is to make method, it’s certainly Russell.
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