Speaking from experience: Carlos Sainz reflects on George Russell's position amid transfer talks

The Formula 1 arena is faring through a tumultuous but exciting period as significant transfers set the scene on the horizon. Red Bull has let go of their long-time principal Christian Horner. The shocking move has left the fraternity wondering whether Horner's exit ensured the stay of Max Verstappen with Red Bull or the contrast. Days before the British Grand Prix, speculations set ablaze predicting the exit of the four-time World Champion from the Red Bull corner. As Verstappen reportedly set it off with Mercedes, the team fired Horner. However, amid all the Verstappen, Red Bull, and Mercedes drama, there's George Russell standing in limbo.

Carlos Sainz speaks on George Russell amid speculations of Max Verstappen joining Mercedes

The rivalry between Max Verstappen and George Russell is not hidden from anyone. Russell has been publicly critical of Verstappen's on-track tactics and temperament, while the latter has hit back consistently at the criticism. Thus, when the rumours took off about Verstappen mulling a move to Mercedes, the question emerged: where would that leave Russell? None of the involved parties have commented on the matter, but Mercedes is yet to renew the contract of Russell.

With the speculations abuzz, it has been predicted that George Russell would be the one to go if Verstappen, in fact, joins Mercedes. Now, as the talks pick up pace, Carlos Sainz has reflected on the toll that the whole situation might take on Russell. Sainz was caught up in a similar turmoil last year when Ferrari looked to onboard Lewis Hamilton for the next season. Despite putting up his best racing credentials, winning two races for Ferrari, Sainz took the axe as Hamilton joined Charles Leclerc in the red corner.

Now, as a strikingly similar situation brews for Russell, Carlos Sainz has said that it must be hard for the Mercedes seed. The Williams driver agreed that a driver finds his way around the noise to put up his best performance. However, Sainz also noted that being in such a situation is not an ideal one for anyone involved in the loop.

“As a racing driver, it’s not an ideal situation. We all try and hide the fact that it affects you, we try not to be affected. I strongly believe that, like I did last year, you can still have a very strong season with all this noise going around your future and around your team, like it can be proved by what George is doing this year and what I did last year," Sainz said.

“In an ideal situation, the way you go racing, the way you are getting the results and the way you are being world champion is when all this is quiet, and when there’s 100 per cent trust between you and the team, and when there’s 100 per cent commitment between both parties. Even though you can still have a very successful season, it’s not the ideal situation and it’s not what any driver wants," he added.