Sky Sports pundit Craig Slater called for Mercedes to keep George Russell unless Red Bull driver Max Verstappen hits the driver market.

George Russell has suggested his contract renewal talks with Mercedes are being held up because the team are still keen to sign Formula One champion Max Verstappen.

George Russell has proffered a theory as to why Red Bull submitted a protest against him in the wake of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Russell won in Montreal ahead of Max Verstappen, though the result was cast in doubt for more than five hours after the chequered flag following an incident between the pair under a late-race Safety Car.