Mercedes driver George Russell also opened up on ongoing talks between his team and Max Verstappen, suggesting the Brackley outfit's significant interest.

The idea of Max Verstappen joining Mercedes would have seemed outlandish when he fought Lewis Hamilton in the contentious title decider in 2021.

Max Verstappen said he would welcome his fellow four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel as the Red Bull team advisor. "It's more than normal that someone that has achieved so much with Red Bull,