The previous race, Russell held his nerve – and his tongue in the media pen afterwards – after being clattered into by arch-rival Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver was duly punished and remains a penalty point away from a race ban, ahead of Silverstone next week.

The news of talks with Verstappen was a fresh admission from the Mercedes camp. Team principal Wolff has maintained a stance that he won’t ‘flirt outside of his relationships’ at Brackley, but with Russell still without a deal for 2026, the 27-year-old will likely be sweating over his future.

Mercedes chief was grilled over George Russell's admission that the F1 team is talking to Max Verstappen once again