logo
Russell confident he'll stay at Mercedes despite Verstappen rumours

Russell confident he'll stay at Mercedes despite Verstappen rumours

The Herald4 days ago
His contract is due to expire at season's end, and there has been speculation that Mercedes could replace him with Verstappen while keeping its other driver, highly-touted 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
'Every team has two seats available and it's normal that every team is considering what the future holds,' Russell said.
' I don't take that personally, because I made it clear from the beginning I'm happy to be teammates with anybody. Of course there's conversations and rumours, it's been pointed towards me, but from my side that isn't going to be the case.
'I want to continue with Mercedes into the future. Toto has never let me down, has always given me his word, and he's also got to do what's right for his team, which includes me and the thousands of people who work for Mercedes.'
Wolff's word, of late, has been concentrated on Verstappen and defending his interest in the Dutch superstar, saying it's 'only normal' to have conversations with drivers of his calibre.
'You make it sound like we have been asking [Verstappen], 'When do you want to join and what are the terms?' That's not how it is and how it works,' Wolff told a reporter on Wednesday.
'I want to just have the conversations behind closed doors, not town halls. And we have two drivers that have been in our programme since a long time, drivers I'm perfectly happy to have, drivers that will do great in the future of the team. So it's a bit different, the situation.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why the V-Class is the New Standard of Taste
Why the V-Class is the New Standard of Taste

The South African

time9 hours ago

  • The South African

Why the V-Class is the New Standard of Taste

A quiet revolution is taking place on South Africa's roads – one where status is no longer shouted but softly stated. As ideas of luxury evolve, a growing number of travellers, professionals and cultural insiders are redefining what it means to move well. At the centre of this shift is the new Mercedes-Benz V-Class: a vehicle that reflects the changing values of South Africans who favour substance, space and understated sophistication. Whether headed to high-profile events like the Durban July, or simply travelling in style across provinces, the V-Class has become a symbol of a new kind of taste – one rooted in comfort, versatility, and modern design. It offers the flexibility to carry people, wardrobes, ideas or equipment – without ever compromising on comfort and experience. This shift aligns with a broader global trend: the rise of quiet luxury and purposeful mobility. Less about performance specs and more about lived ease, the V-Class delivers what many now associate with true luxury – control over one's time, space to think, and the comfort to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. 'Luxury is no longer defined by excess or display,' says Reandren Thulkanam, General Manager at Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa. 'Today, it's about freedom, comfort, and intelligent utility. The V-Class answers that shift – it's elegant, capable and allows people to move with intention. For many of our customers, that is the new mark of success.' The recent V-Class convoy to the Durban July, with a scenic stopover in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, captured this shift in motion – a curated road experience that prioritised personal space, functionality, and the simple joy of travelling well. Also, quietly present in the convoy was a glimpse of the future: the all-new Mercedes-Benz EQV, the brand's all-electric premium van. Its inclusion signals what's next – a move toward sustainable luxury that still delivers on the comfort and presence the popular V-Class has come to represent. As South Africa's definition of success grows more nuanced, the V-Class is finding its place not as a vehicle of prestige, but as a reflection of a deeper understanding: that how we travel is as important as where we're going.

Why the Mercedes-Benz V-Class is the ultimate group experience
Why the Mercedes-Benz V-Class is the ultimate group experience

IOL News

time10 hours ago

  • IOL News

Why the Mercedes-Benz V-Class is the ultimate group experience

The ultimate girls' trip in the Mercedes-Benz V-Class. (From left to right): Lisa KV, Mihlali Ndamase, and Lisa Madibe, Image: Supplied Image: Supplied In a weekend where fashion, culture, and celebration collide, the journey to the Hollywoodbets Durban July has become just as significant as the event itself. This year, that journey was led by a striking Mercedes-Benz V-Class convoy, offering a glimpse into the future of group travel - spacious, stylish, and entirely on your own terms. Leading the convoy were some of South Africa's most recognisable style and lifestyle voices - Mihlali Ndamase, Lisa Madibe, and Lisa K.V - each behind the tinted windows of their own V-Class vehicle. The road trip kicked off in Johannesburg and wound through KwaZulu-Natal's scenic Midlands, with curated pit stops, content creation moments, and relaxed luxury defining the ride. What unfolded wasn't just a drive - it was a mobile lounge experience. Think: panoramic sunroofs, plush leather seats, ambient lighting, and unparalleled amounts of space to stretch out, steam an outfit, or shoot a transition reel. Whether used as a glam hub or a private retreat before the buzz of the July, the V-Class offered an environment where creators could connect, rest and express themselves freely - together, yet comfortably apart. Mercedes-Benz V-Class lineup, Image: Supplied Image: Supplied Adding a whisper of future-forward intrigue to the convoy was the presence of the new all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQV - a subtle teaser of what sustainable group luxury could look like on South Africa's roads. Silent, powerful, and fully electric, the EQV joined the journey as a preview of what's to come. 'Group travel has evolved - it's no longer about squeezing into one vehicle and compromising comfort. It's about experience, individuality, and sharing the road in a way that feels effortless,' says Natasha Jardim, Managing Executive at Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa. 'The V-Class is designed for this new kind of traveller - one who values space, connection and style. And with the EQV on the horizon, that experience is about to get even more progressive.' The Mercedes-Benz V-Class convoy to the Hollywoodbets Durban July, Image: Supplied Image: Supplied From content creators and stylists to families and corporate teams, the V-Class is changing how South Africans move together - with each person's comfort, gear and personality accounted for. As the Durban July weekend unfolded, it was clear the V-Class isn't just a people mover. It's the ultimate group experience, designed for the kind of travel that values both the destination and everything in between.

South African Jordan Pepper takes maiden DTM victory at Norisring
South African Jordan Pepper takes maiden DTM victory at Norisring

TimesLIVE

time11 hours ago

  • TimesLIVE

South African Jordan Pepper takes maiden DTM victory at Norisring

With 20kg of success ballast on-board thanks to his victory, Pepper started ninth on the grid for Sunday's second race of the weekend. A multi-car incident at the exit of turn one — which forced both Thiim and Bortolotti out — caused an early red flag. After dropping a couple of places at the restart, Pepper emerged from the two mandatory pit-stops in ninth place, consolidating his starting position. It means that Pepper heads into the second half of the DTM season joint second in the drivers' standings, just seven points behind championship leader, Austrian driver Lucas Auer and nephew of former Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger in a Mercedes-AMG GT. 'It's been a perfect two weeks and a great way to bounce back after the last three weeks. To finally get that first DTM win, after a difficult Zandvoort, is amazing and coming off a very difficult Spa in terms of physical and mental effort has been great,' said Pepper on his win. The season resumes at the Nürburgring on August 9-10 while the Huracán's successor, the Temerario GT3 will be officially unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 11.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store