George Russell sets retirement date amid Mercedes plot to sign Max Verstappen

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has made no secret of trying to snap up Max VerstappenGeorge Russell has revealed how much longer he plans on racing in Formula One amid big changes at Mercedes.The Briton has told how he believes he can race for another 20 years as he prepares to become the main man at Mercedes.Lewis Hamilton is set to leave at the end of the season to join Ferrari in a stunning move while teenage hotshot Kimi Antonelli will be promoted from the F2 to become Russell’s new team-mate.But Mercedes’ dream is to sign Verstappen, who is having problems with Red Bull this season, while team principal Toto Wolff has admitted talks have been held.Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Russell has insisted he could race well into his 40s to reassert himself as Mercedes’ main guy.The 26-year-old, who joined the Silver Arrows in 2022, said: “The last two years have flown by and I feel I still have 15 to 20 years ahead of me.