Mercedes in 'ongoing' Max Verstappen talks as George Russell offers contract update

Mercedes driver George Russell has admitted his team are in 'ongoing talks' with Max Verstappen over the possibility of the reigning world champion replacing him next season. Russell, 27, is out of contract with the Silver Arrows at the end of this year, fuelling speculation his four-year stint with the team is set to end.

That's despite his first Grand Prix win of the season in Canada this month. Meanwhile, Verstappen is said to be growing increasingly frustrated at Red Bull as they struggle to keep pace with the frontrunners McLaren. He's already been linked with a sensational switch to his team's arch rivals, and Russell has now offered an intriguing update on the situation.

"As Mercedes, they want to be back on top, and if you're going to be back on top you need to make sure you've got the best drivers, the best engineers, the best pit crew, and that's what Mercedes are chasing," he said at the Austrian Grand Prix on Thursday. "So, it's only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing."

Russell currently lies fourth in the drivers' standings, just 19 points off Verstappen above him. He insists he's not concerned about his team courting the four-time F1 champion, and says he's only focused on his own results.

"From my side, if I'm performing as I'm doing, what have I got to be concerned about?" he continued. "There are two seats in every Formula One team. Toto has made it clear to me that he thinks how I'm performing this year is as good as anybody."

In an apparent swipe at rival Verstappen, he added: "I think there's only one driver that you can debate in terms of performance, these are his words, these are not my words , so that's why I have no concern about the future."

Verstappen, 27, is contracted to Red Bull until 2028. However, he's said to have a clause in his deal that permits him a release if the team aren't performing to a particular level.

To add spice to the developments, relations between Russell and Verstappen have been tense after a series of fallouts last year. The fireworks began during qualifying in Qatar, where Verstappen was given a one-place grid penalty for impeding Russell on his out-lap and was demoted from pole position.