The driver’s carousel is about to get a major shake-up ahead of the 2026 regulatory revamp. Although Mercedes’s lineup looks settled now, Red Bull is aiming for one of its young racers. After Lewis Hamilton’s departure, Kimi Antonelli was named his heir.
The F2 sensation had a remarkable year and was promoted to F1. However, George Russell’s contract will end in 2026. Further, the Silver Arrows have not clarified their future plans. Thus, the RBR team, struggling to find the perfect racing pair, aims for Russell.
Christian Horner Stirs The Pot, Opens The Red Bull’s Doors For George Russell
Red Bull’s driver lineup has come under intense scrutiny in the 2024 F1 season. With Max Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, struggling to secure a podium finish since April and Daniel Ricciardo potentially being replaced by Liam Lawson at the junior team VCARB ahead of the United States Grand Prix, questions have been raised about the strength of Red Bull’s roster. When asked about the team’s “weaker driver pairing” despite their history of developing young talent, Christian Horner acknowledged the challenge. He explained that while Red Bull has a proven system for nurturing future stars, the current situation with Perez underperforming compared to Verstappen has prompted the team to reevaluate its options.
Although Perez performed well enough last year to help the team secure the Constructors’ Championship and finish second in the drivers’ standings, Horner emphasized the need for long-term planning. Red Bull has several promising talents in their development program. Formula 2 standout Isack Hadjar and rising Formula 3 star Arvid Lindblad are also part of the talent pool Red Bull is monitoring closely for the future.
Red Bull’s approach to signing drivers took a notable turn in 2020 when they brought in Perez, who became the first driver not to emerge from their academy since Mark Webber’s 2007 stint. With the future of both Verstappen and Perez uncertain, Horner stressed that Red Bull is open to exploring external options for 2026. Notably, Mercedes driver George Russell, who will be out of contract at the end of the next season, has caught their attention as a potential candidate, reflecting Red Bull’s willingness to consider drivers beyond their traditional pool.
Former F1 Driver Claims Russell Is “Far From Safe” As Wolff Eyes A Kimi-Max Partnership
Horner’s remarks follow concerns raised by former Mercedes driver and 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg regarding George Russell’s future with the team. Rosberg expressed that Russell’s position is far from secure, given that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is still keen on acquiring Max Verstappen. He noted that Wolff’s determination to land Verstappen for the 2026 season indicates that he will continue to pursue this goal relentlessly.
Rosberg suggested that if Verstappen becomes available, a competition could emerge between Russell and Kimi, who is only 18 and new to the high-pressure environment of Formula 1. This situation puts significant pressure on Russell, who has the most to lose in this potential rivalry. Given Kimi’s lack of experience in such a demanding setting, Russell is expected to take the lead within the team. However, the uncertainty surrounding his position adds complexity to his role at Mercedes.