George Russell is more likely to stay with Mercedes next year than Max Verstappen will come together, said the Formula One Toto Wolff chief as he confirmed his interest in the future.

Russell It is indicated on Thursday that Mercedes was talking Decent about a movement from Reddish And he suggested that this was why an extension of his contract beyond this season was taking time, though he was sure of the future.

“There is no delay in George’s contract negotiations,” Wolff told Sky Sports Television at the Austrian Grand Prix, where Russell was faster in the first practice.

“It is very clear since a long time what they were and are our time, we have known each other for such a long time and so there is nothing like a delay.”

Wolff said it was a matter of trying to find out in what time frame Versstappen, a four -time world champion that was contracted with Red Bull by 2028, was operating under and what were his plans.

“And it can be long in the future,” he added.

“But that has no effect for us to put a signature on the George’s contract.”

Russell said Thursday that it was normal Mercedes would want to talk to Verstappen.

Asked if Russell his teammate is the 18-year-old Italian novice Some AntonelliIt was more likely to be in Mercedes than Versstappen next year, Wolff replied, “Yes.”

“What we are trying to do in the team is to be transparent … You can either choose to keep things under conclusions or as we have done in the last 10-12 years is set there and say” this is the situation “,” said Wolff.

“There is nothing like that to say” we’ll sign max. That’s so far away that it’s not realistic. With George, we talk about everything. “

Speaking to reporters earlier, Wolff said everything was normal and would plan on Russell’s contract talks.

He also did not rule out Russell and Verstappen’s pairing in the future, despite their latest public quarrels and clashes on the right track.

“I can imagine any formation. I had Rosberg and Hamilton fighting for a world championship, so everything else then is easy,” said Austrian.

“There are the benefits and the bad to have two drivers fighting each other hard.

“We have seen examples where other examples did not work.”