George Russell breaks silence on Max Verstappen to Mercedes rumours.

George Russell finally commented on rumors of Max Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes in the future.

George Russell breaks silence on Max Verstappen to Mercedes rumours.

Max Verstappen and George Russell (via IMAGO)

The news of  Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 took the F1 world by storm. Many speculated regarding the possible future replacement of the seven-time world champion. One of the names that surprisingly came up was Max Verstappen. 

Verstappen currently has a contract with Red Bull, till 2028. However, with the drama around Christian Horner there is a possibility that the Dutchman could leave Milton Keynes. Max Verstappen’s father was one of the many F1 personalities who received an anonymous mail of alleged leaked evidence after Horner was cleared. Jos Verstappen was clearly not happy about the situation could consider another team for his son. With the speculations of Max Verstappen’s possible move getting more heat, after the controversy, the media asked the Mercedes driver George Russell about his opinion on the same.

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According to Russell, the decision more relies on the side of Max Verstappen and his current team Red Bull regarding how they are to deal with all the controversy. While that happens, Mercedes would be Verstappen’s most likely destination if he were to depart, given the fact that, Ferrari’s commitment to Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton for 2025. For the duration of the Bahrain GP weekend, Jos Verstappen and Silver Arrows motorsports CEO Toto Wolff met. Wolff even hinted at the door being open for the Dutch driver.

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I think any team wants to have the best driver line-up possible. Right now, Max is the best driver on the grid so if any team had a chance to sign Max, they’d 100 percent be taking it.
George Russell said as reported by Autosport

George Russell calls for transparency in F1

George Russell has demanded transparency in the wake of a report claiming that FIA President interfered to overturn a penalty during the previous season. In the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP, Russell came in fourth place but was momentarily moved up to third when Fernando Alonso was given a 10-second penalty for a pit crew mistake. But the decision was reversed. Max Verstappen had won the race at the Jeddah Street Circuit.

George Russell
George Russell (via IMAGO)

All the Mercedes team wants is complete transparency and to see all the facts. According to Russell, For them to demonstrate their abilities, they seek a fair and level playing field. George Russell did not expect the penalty overturned. According to the Briton, the Mercedes Legal team had done their job perfectly representing their case and hence also had won the case, but it didn’t last long as the team soon after lost the case. 

According to the BBC, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem intervened to reverse the Alonso penalty. The FIA’s compliance officer reports that the agency has received two complaints relating to probable whistleblower claims against Ben Sulayem. Russell now just wants transparency, so that the sports will remain a ‘fair playing field’.

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