Ted Kravitz provides George Russell F1 contract update amid Max Verstappen to Mercedes rumours

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The future of Mercedes driver George Russell has been a hot topic in the Formula 1 paddock at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Mercedes are one of the only teams on the grid yet to confirm either of their drivers for the 2025 F1 season.

George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are racing for their futures with the F1 driver market bubbling under the surface in the paddock right now.

Antonelli is one of a handful of F1 rookies who were only handed initial one-year deals when they joined the grid.

On the other side of the garage, Russell is reaching the end of his latest Mercedes contract, but couldn’t be doing any more to convince Toto Wolff that he deserves a new deal.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is the obvious threat to Russell’s Mercedes future.

Verstappen’s Red Bull exit clause is set to activate in the coming weeks due to his position in the drivers’ championship.

It’s been suggested that Verstappen isn’t convinced by what the F1 paddock is saying about Mercedes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s happy with what he’s seeing behind the scenes at Red Bull.

Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz has shared the latest information he’s heard about Russell’s future and where that leaves Antonelli and Verstappen.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

Ted Kravitz says George Russell is ‘going to get’ a new Mercedes contract for next season

Kravitz was speaking on Ted’s Notebook after qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.

Discussing Russell’s qualifying performance and his future, he said: “In the end, in Q3, a good effort from George Russell, P5, and that was really all they could do.

“George Russell, of course, talking about what he’s going to do in the future.

“Christian Horner saying that he’s just frustrated about what they’re going to try to do to get a new contract.

“But, it looks like he is going to get a new contract for next year, but into the future, who knows what’s going to happen re: Max Verstappen.”

It’s not a huge surprise to hear that Russell is likely to be retained by Mercedes at this stage.

Verstappen may want to bide his time and wait until next season to see which team has nailed the new F1 regulations before potentially moving teams.

However, whether Russell will accept a one-year deal is another matter entirely.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

George Russell targets Ferrari drivers at the Austrian Grand Prix

Russell qualified fifth for the Austrian Grand Prix, maximising the performance of his Mercedes on a track he knew wouldn’t suit his car.

He explained: “We knew this track was going to be a challenging one for us. We know our strengths and weaknesses, and with a circuit that features high-speed corners and abrasive tarmac like here, it was always going to be tough to put together a good single lap.

“P5 is probably the maximum we could have done today in these conditions.

“The gap between Lando (Norris) and us is not really surprising. The McLarens have been doing a great job so far, and I don’t think we will be able to challenge them tomorrow.

“However, I think we do have a chance to fight with both Ferraris ahead, and this is what we will be aiming for.”

Bernie Collins doesn’t think Russell will want a one-year contract offer, but given the lack of alternative options in the paddock, he might not be in a strong enough negotiating position to turn it down.

His future still pins on Verstappen’s next decision, and Red Bull’s performance in Austria might not have done him any favours.