George Russell confirms stance on having Verstappen as his Mercedes team-mate

On Mar 7, 2024

George Russell has welcomed the prospect of getting Max Verstappen as his Mercedes team-mate.

Three-time F1 champion Verstappen’s future at Red Bull has all of the sudden been thrown doubtful because of the controversy surrounding workforce principal Christian Horner. Horner was just lately cleared of allegations made towards him by a feminine Red Bull worker – however a day later leaked messages, alleged to be between Horner and the unnamed lady, had been leaked to figures inside F1.

That sparked fury from Verstappen’s dad, Jos. Verstappen snr. claimed the title-winning workforce will “explode” except Horner stands down as boss. And the previous F1 driver was seen talking to Mercedes workforce boss Toto Wolff in Bahrain, reportedly over a shock transfer by his son to the rival workforce.

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Verstappen’s present Red Bull contract nonetheless runs till 2028. But Mercedes’ No.2 driver Russell, 26, has admitted it will be “exciting” to line up alongside the Dutchman, 26, with Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari on the finish of 2024.

Russell mentioned: “This is my third season alongside Lewis, the greatest of all time, and I feel like I have done a pretty good job alongside him. So, whoever were to line up alongside me, I welcome the challenge.

“You want to go against the best. I am focused on myself but I believe I can beat anybody on the grid. Having Lewis as my benchmark has been a good benchmark for sure.”

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Russell admitted it would be "exciting" to race alongside the Dutchman — Russell admitted it will be “exciting” to race alongside the Dutchman
(Image: Getty Images)

Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen in conversation at the Bahrain Grand Prix — Jos Verstappen [R] is sad with Christian Horner [R] remaining in cost at Red Bull
(Image: Getty)

Russell added: “Any team wants to have the best driver line-up possible and right now Max is the best driver on the grid. If any team had a chance to sign Max they would 100 percent be taking it.

“But the question is on his side and Red Bull’s side and we don’t know what is truly going on behind closed doors and it is none of our business, but it would be exciting.”

Toto Wolff met with Max Veratappen's dad, Jos, at the Bahrain Grand Prix — Toto Wolff [pictured] met with Max Veratappen’s dad, Jos, on the Bahrain Grand Prix
(Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

George Russell and Max Verstappen are used to competing against each other — George Russell and Max Verstappen are used to competing towards one another
(Image: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Verstappen, who comfortably gained the primary race of the season in Bahrain, has refused to rule out becoming a member of Mercedes in 2025 regardless of it being a seemingly unthinkable transfer simply weeks in the past. When requested if he may see himself with the Brackley-based workforce forward of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen mentioned: “The thing is nobody would have ever seen that Lewis would move to Ferrari.

“That’s not related to F1, it’s just general life. You never know what happens around you or what might influence you. You can never say 100% what is going to be.”

He added: “Things must go really crazy, I guess [in order to leave Red Bull], but that’s not the target for everyone.”