'Nervous' George Russell handed 'no smoke without fire' Max Verstappen warning

Martin Brundle believes George Russell is "nervous" as speculation linking Max Verstappen with a stunning switch to Mercedes intensifies. 

Russell is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of this season, and despite both boss Toto Wolff publicly stating a new deal should not be difficult to sign, Russell is no closer to agreeing fresh terms.

The Briton believes this could be down to the fact that Wolff has long been keen to sign Verstappen, with major uncertainty around his future with Red Bull.

Verstappen's contract expires at the end of 2028, but his contract is known to feature a break clause where, if he is not in the top three in the drivers' championship by the summer, he can leave for 2026.

Heading into the British GP, Verstappen is third on 155 points, with Russell, ironically, being his nearest challenger on 146, just nine behind.

Red Bull has insisted that the four-time champion will be at the team next season, but Verstappen himself has not explicitly stated that this will be the case, as Brundle observed that "something is up."

"I think George Russell is nervous and he's ringing around a little bit," Brundle told Sky Sports F1. 

"There is no smoke without fire, and if you were going to 2026, it is a massive change, the biggest ever in Formula 1 for the chassis and power units.

"You'd guess Mercedes would be there or thereabouts as well, but can Max get out of his contract?

"Something is up."