George Russell handed clear Mercedes message in face of Max Verstappen links

Toto Wolff is adamant that George Russell will not have to wait months to sign a new Mercedes contract as ongoing rumours over a move for Max Verstappen continue to linger.

Mercedes was heavily linked with Red Bull's four-time F1 champion Verstappen last year after Lewis Hamilton stunned the sport by announcing on February 1 that the upcoming season at that stage would be his last with the team ahead of a shock switch to rivals Ferrari.

Wolff occasionally fanned the flames last season regarding the links to Verstappen before ultimately deciding to sign protégé Kimi Antonelli, albeit the teenager was not confirmed until the Italian Grand Prix in early September.

Russell is out of contract at the end of this year, and whilst neither Wolff nor Russell has sounded any alarm bells over a potential extension, the latest round of Verstappen speculation has only served to muddy the waters.

Wolff has made clear that a new deal for Russell, who is currently in his fourth season with Mercedes, will be forthcoming sooner rather than later, and he will not have to wait months until September. 

"No, definitely not that long," said Wolff, when asked about Russell's situation by RacingNews365.

"George and I are totally clear on how this is going to go. There is 100 per cent alignment. There is no such thing as dragging this on because that's not what we do."

Wolff was appearing alongside Williams team principal James Vowles and Aston Martin team boss Andy Cowell in the official FIA press conference.

It was a reunion of Mercedes' 'dream team' from its glory years from 2014 onwards, with Vowles the chief strategist and Cowell the engine guru whose development of the 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid systems helped the team dominate for eight years from 2014.

Sitting alongside the duo, Wolff described it as a "pinch me moment". He added: ""We had such good times, so many wins, some tough moments.

"You absolutely deserve to be leaders of your organisations, and a proud moment for Mercedes."