George Russell ahead of the Singapore GP - Photo: Race Pictures

Steiner: Verstappen and 'lovechild' Antonelli a threat to Russell

17:35, 11 Oct

byNorberto Mujica

Guenther Steiner believes George Russell's key leverage at Mercedes could also protect him from a potential Max Verstappen coup.

Toto is playing at, give him one year, so if Max comes free, or Max wants to leave Red Bull, I’ve got a place for Max, and my love child, Kimi Antonelli.

- Guenther Steiner

Mercedes is yet to announce either driver as part of the team's line up for next year, though it is widely expected that they field both incumbent rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli as well as current team leader Russell.

Steiner is certain that the British driver will get a contract. With Mercedes, or perhaps not.

Steiner said in the Red Flags podcast: "He will get one. I mean, if he doesn’t get it at Mercedes, he gets it somewhere else.

“But obviously, George knows what he’s worth. I would say, he doesn’t want his terms, he wants to do the best for him. He has got an opportunity.

“What he did for Mercedes, everybody was scared last year: ‘Oh, Lewis is leaving. Do you think George can take the lead of the team?’ No sh*t, he did. I mean, pretty good.

George Russell celebrates his Singapore GP victory on the podium - Photo: Race Pictures

Regarding the points where the negotiations between Russell and Mercedes may be falling through, Steiner said: “Now he’s waiting for a contract, so I think he just tries to negotiate the best terms for him.

“I guess he wants more than a one-year contract, because I guess, Toto is playing at, give him one year, so if Max comes free, or Max wants to leave Red Bull, I’ve got a place for Max, and my love child, Kimi Antonelli.

“Obviously George is saying, ‘That doesn’t work for me! That’s not my ideal situation.’ And in the moment, who is performing? George. So he’s in a pretty good position to negotiate."

George Russell has won two races this season for Mercedes. Photo: RacePictures.

According to Steiner, Russell's leverage is the level of performance he's shown throughout the season, and with all other top drivrs already tied down to their current teams, Mercedes' options grow thin.

“And that is his leverage, because Mercedes, who would they put in there. I mean, there is nobody available.

“Because Mercedes, I mean, Mercedes needs to fight for world championships. It’s not like a midfield team, which you take the best you can get for the money you’ve got. Mercedes, if they are participating in F1, they want to win the world championship. They’re not here to participate. They are here to win, concluded Steiner.

Wolff has confirmed Russell and Antonelli for 2026

The Austrian team boss, after the Singapore Grand Prix, in Sky Germany's live broadcast confirmed Russell and Antonelli would race for Mercedes in 2026.

Although, F1 expert Ralf Schumacher hinted at a potential impass affecting Wolff's relationship with Russell, as a result of the very public interest the Mercedes team boss showed toward signing Max Verstappen.

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