This leaves him just 18 points behind four-time world champion Verstappen in the standings. Despite this, however, Russell remains out of contract at the end of the year. This is due to ongoing contract talks with Verstappen, who Wolff believes he can lure away from rivals Red Bull amid long-running behind-the-scenes turmoil in Milton Keynes.

Kimi Antonelli could be loaned to Alpine for the F1 2026 season if Mercedes opt to pair Max Verstappen with George Russell, it has been claimed. Verstappen has been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes over recent weeks despite being under contract with Red Bull until the end of the F1 2028 season.