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.

Toto Wolff has confirmed that Mercedes is exploring the possibility of signing Max Verstappen in the future but insists it is not impacting ongoing contract talks with George Russell for 2026.

Meanwhile, the Red Bull drivers found themselves in a few incidents and ended with no points, making it a “home race to forget.” Max Verstappen’s day was done by Turn 3 when he was hit by Kimi Antonelli,