Mercedes will be a driver short in 2025 as Lewis Hamilton will be heading to Maranello to join Ferrari. Team principal Toto Wolff has left no stone unturned in his efforts to lure three-time world champion Max Verstappen to Brackley. However, the move seems unlikely atleast for the 2025 season.
That being said, besides Max Verstappen, Mercedes is also heavily invested in promoting F2 rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli to F1 owing to his impeccable talent. Amid this, it appears George Russell’s seat could be in danger, and F1 reporter Christian Menath linked Russell to a surprise name that has yet to debut in F1.
George Russell Might Be Pursued By Audi If Carlos Sainz Moves Elsewhere
Outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has stranded the F1 driver market as he continued to delay his decision on the future. Sainz has offers lined up from Alpine, Williams, Mercedes and Audi. However, despite the variety of options to choose from, the Spaniard is taking his own sweet time to hold negotiations with each one of them. Notably, Audi, who will take over Sauber in 2026, has been eyeing Sainz for a while now. After signing Nico Hulkenberg from Haas, Audi is awaiting Sainz’s decision. Meanwhile, F1 reporter Christian Menath believes that in case Sainz ditches Audi, it’s likely the latter will move for a temporary solution for the 2025 season with a hope to go after an established driver again in 2026.
Interestingly, Christian Menath has proposed George Russell as an ideal and surprise candidate for Audi in 2026. Menath explained that Mercedes would dump Russell if they secured Max Verstappen for the 2026 season when new engine regulations would come into effect. Once Toto Wolff lands Verstappen, he will partner him up with young protege Kimi Antonelli, thus leaving Russell handing out in dry. However, the British driver will then have an opportunity to sign for Audi, given Carlos Sainz has committed elsewhere. Notably, the drivers market would spur again in 2026 in the wake of a massive regulation overhaul. The Formula 1 dynamics are constantly evolving with no set dominators. However, it remains to be seen whether George Russell will be sacrificed by Mercedes since Toto Wolff holds him in high regard and views him as a future leader of the team.
Russell Says Lewis Hamilton Wouldn’t Have Left If Mercedes Were Dominant
In an interesting take, George Russell said at the Hungarian GP media day that if Mercedes had been performing and were, in fact, winning contenders, Lewis Hamilton wouldn’t have left for Ferrari. But at the same time, he also understands that after 12 successful years, perhaps Hamilton needed a change to rediscover his fire.
“He’s been here 12 years now; he’s achieved so much with the team. I think for him, it’s exciting to have that change,” Russell said. Ultimately, George Russell strongly opines that if Mercedes were winning and had positive traction for the future, Lewis Hamilton would have loved to be in the fastest car irrespective of the colour.
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