Max Verstappen just gave George Russell the ‘upper hand’ in his Mercedes contract talks, according to Martin Brundle

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Martin Brundle has ‘suddenly’ noticed a big change from Mercedes’ George Russell since Max Verstappen confirmed that he will stay at Red Bull in the 2026 F1 season.

Most of the rumours in the F1 driver market this year have focused on who Verstappen will race for next term. But those questions have now been quelled, as the key exit clause in the Dutchman’s deal with Red Bull will not become available and give Mercedes a move to mull.

Verstappen needed to be outside of the top three in the F1 drivers’ championship come the summer break that follows this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix to have the option to leave Red Bull. But Russell in fourth cannot catch the 27-year-old with 28 points between the pair.

Mercedes were widely regarded as the most likely team to target Verstappen for 2026, with Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli both out of contract after the 2025 F1 season. But any move must wait another year, when Verstappen’s release clause will be easier to meet.

Max Verstappen staying at Red Bull removes Mercedes’ trump card in George Russell’s contract talks

Verstappen can leave Red Bull after the 2026 season if he ranks outside of the top two in the standings in next term’s summer break. But the Dutchman stating at the 2025 Hungarian GP that he will be at Red Bull in 2026 gave Russell a boost for his contract talks with Mercedes.

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Brundle thinks Verstappen stating “I’m staying” at Red Bull removes the card that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was using as leverage in his talks with Russell about his new deal. Instead, the 27-year-old now has the advantage as the ‘very best driver’ on the market still.

Additionally, Brundle has sensed a shift in Russell’s demeanour ahead of the Hungarian GP, knowing that Verstappen cannot take his seat at Mercedes in 2026. Russell also noted this Thursday that “there is no time pressure on my side” to finalise his new contract for 2026.

Brundle said on Sky Sports News (01/08, 11:37): “Unquestionably. I think Toto’s been using the Max card a little bit. Suddenly, George is like, ‘I’m not in a hurry anymore’, because he’s got the upper hand.

“He’s quite clearly the very best driver on the grid who’s out of contract. So, I’m sure he doesn’t need to hurry. He can get the deal how he wants it. He won’t want to go anywhere else other than Mercedes.”

Mercedes may leave a door ajar for Max Verstappen with George Russell’s new contract

With Russell unable to eclipse Verstappen for third place in the 2025 drivers’ championship before the summer, Mercedes are said to be moving closer to extending the Briton’s stay in Brackley. It is also thought that Russell is close to signing a £30m-a-year Mercedes contract.

The Silver Arrows are projected to award the 27-year-old a multi-year deal to lead them into F1’s 2026 aero and engine regulations, for which Mercedes are also widely expected to have the best power unit. But it is unclear if Russell’s deal will be for 2026, with options past that.

Russell’s new Mercedes contract could be a one-plus-one-year deal in order for the team to leave a door ajar for Verstappen to potentially switch in 2027. By staying at Red Bull in 2026, Verstappen can see which crew aces the new regulations before potentially changing teams.