Max Verstappen at the Red Bull Ring is usually a recipe for success. The defending Formula 1 champion has an upgraded car for his team's home race in Austria — where he's won five times — on the back of an encouraging second place in Canada,

Both Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli are out of contract at the end of the year, but with a sprint race pole position and Grand Prix podium already under his belt, the rookie is likely to earn at least one more year in the Mercedes stable. This would leave the four-time race winner in a challenging position.

Max Verstappen said he would welcome fellow four-times Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel back to Red Bull after the German spoke of possibly succeeding consultant Helmut Marko at the team.