A senior figure at jokingly accused Martin Brundle of "trying to put him on the spot" over the future of . The English driver currently sits fourth in the F1 standings, but speculation is mounting over his future with Toto Wolff's team.

The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season. in the media, but there have been no reports of negotiations between the two parties over a new deal. That's despite the star outperforming ex-team-mate in the previous three seasons.

The Silver Arrows have been linked with an audacious move for amid Red Bull's struggles. Speaking to Bradley Lord, Mercedes' chief communications officer, Brundle cheekily suggested it was their pursuit of the Dutchman that was delaying any potential offer to Russell, in an effort to get a response out of Silver Arrows figure.

"He's world-class, he's really driving at his best, but you haven't re-signed him for next year yet," said the Sky F1 pundit during live coverage of FP1 from the Monaco Grand Prix. "So you're obviously waiting for Max Verstappen in case he springs loose."

Lord replied: "I thought you'd try and put me on the spot with something like that, Martin. No, we're under no rush. We manage George's career as well, being the team he drives for at the moment."

Brundle, however, wasn't about to let the situation lie, adding: "You haven't even got him a drive for next year." Lord insisted that talks were planned, and argued that the team didn't need a prolonged period to sort out matters.

"We know there's no pressure," he said. "At the right time, me and Toto will sit down and it doesn't take terribly long to thrash these things out. It hasn't happened yet but it certainly will in the weeks and months ahead."

Russell is currently partnered with Hamilton's replacement, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Italian star, 18, is considered a long-term investment by Wolff, and after an impressive start to his rookie season, his place on the grid is not perceived to be under any threat.