George Russell facing anxious wait to discover if he has Mercedes seat next year

ANXIOUS WAIT: Mercedes driver George Russell is waiting to discover if he will have a seat next season. Pic: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

George Russell’s wait for his Formula One future to be confirmed is set to extend until at least next month’s summer break.

Max Verstappen’s break clause from his Red Bull contract can no longer be activated after his fourth-placed finish at Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix ensured the Dutchman will not be lower than third in the world championship when the sport enters its mid-season shutdown.