With the Mercedes and Max Verstappen flirtation continuing, the impact such a partnership could have would be seismic in Formula 1. Here’s a delve into the factors in play

Back in 2022, Verstappen signed a bumper five-year contract extension with Red Bull in a deal that will keep him at the team until at least the end of the 2028 season. Russell’s contracts have been far shorter, with the Briton signing a two-year extension in 2023 to extend his stay with Mercedes until the end of 2025.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he hopes to have his 2026 driver decision sorted by the end of Formula 1's summer break, as uncertainty over George Russell's place at the team lingers.