George Russell boosted by joke solution to Mercedes contract dilemma

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes George Russell deserves a new multi-year contract from Mercedes, joking he should he handed a "contract for life". 

Both Russell and Kimi Antonelli remain without a contract for next season, although it is expected that the Silver Arrows will hand the duo new deals. 

Following a stellar podium in the Hungarian Grand Prix, Russell revealed it was a matter of "when not if" he signs a contract extension, with Toto Wolff also insisting it will happen. 

However, Russell recently went through a period of uncertainty surrounding his Mercedes future, following conversations between Wolff and Max Verstappen. 

It was Russell who ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix confirmed the Mercedes team principal was speaking to Verstappen, before the Dutchman committed his immediate future to Red Bull. 

Russell has enjoyed a strong campaign so far and has smoothly become the leader of the Brackley-based outfit, following the exit of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari. 

With six podiums this year, only the McLaren drivers have featured in the top three more than Russell, highlighting the level fo his current performances. 

Asked by a fan on the Red Flags podcast if Russell deserves a multi-year contract extension, Steiner answered: "He deserves that. He's doing a good job, he's leading the team, he knows everything, he knows what Ferrari did [in Hungary], he knows what the engineer should be doing. 

"I think he should have a contract for life, in my opinion, and they cannot get out of it. No, without joking, I think he should get an extension. He's doing a good job. 

"And if they want to win a world championship at the moment, they need George there, because Kimi is not delivering as they anticipated. I think obviously Kimi's in the first year, I can see that.

"But in the moment, if they want to win a world championship with Kimi and even Max Verstappen, you're not going to win it. You need two good drivers, and George is a good driver, doing a good job."