The driver market is set for a significant shake-up before the 2026 regulation changes. While Mercedes appears to have a stable lineup, for now, Red Bull is targeting one of its young talents. Following Lewis Hamilton’s exit, Kimi Antonelli was designated as his successor, having earned a promotion to Formula 1 after an impressive season in F2.
However, with George Russell’s contract expiring in 2026 and Mercedes’s long-term plans unclear, Red Bull, still searching for an ideal driver pairing, is now targeting Russell. Meanwhile, Toto Wolff has dismissed Horner’s aspirations, claiming Russell is an essential aspect of SIlver Arrows.
Christian Horner Willing To Look Beyond “Narrow Red Bull Talent Pool,” Sets Sight On George Russell
Red Bull’s driver lineup has faced significant scrutiny during the 2024 F1 season, particularly with Sergio Perez’s struggles to secure a podium since April and the possibility of Daniel Ricciardo being replaced by Liam Lawson at VCARB before the United States Grand Prix. This has led to questions about the team’s strength, especially in comparison to Max Verstappen’s dominant performances. Christian Horner admitted that while Red Bull has a well-established system for developing young talent, Perez’s recent underperformance has forced the team to reconsider its options.
Although Perez played a key role last season in securing the Constructors’ Championship and finishing second in the drivers’ standings, Horner highlighted the importance of looking ahead. Red Bull is closely monitoring several rising stars from its development program, including Formula 2 standout Isack Hadjar and Formula 3 sensation Arvid Lindblad, as it plans for the future.
Red Bull took a different approach to driver recruitment in 2020 by signing Perez, marking the first time they brought in a driver from outside their academy since Mark Webber in 2007. With the futures of both Verstappen and Perez in question, Horner revealed that Red Bull is open to exploring external driver options for 2026. One of the notable names on their radar is Mercedes driver George Russell, whose contract ends after next season, indicating Red Bull’s willingness to consider talent outside their usual pool.
Wolff Fires Back At Horner’s Growing Interest In Russell: “Always Stirring Trouble”
Toto Wolff dismissed Christian Horner’s recent comments, implying that Horner is simply engaging in mind games. After the Singapore Grand Prix, Wolff pointed out that Horner often tries to create controversy, but he remained unfazed. He reiterated that George Russell is a long-term Mercedes driver, expressing confidence that Russell will stay with the team for the foreseeable future.
Both Russell and rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli are under contract with Mercedes until the end of the 2025 season. Despite speculation about potential signings, including Max Verstappen, Wolff is not ruling out future moves. Speaking at Antonelli’s promotion event at Monza, Wolff emphasized that he values transparency and honesty when dealing with his drivers. He also noted that while he had been caught off guard by the situation with Lewis Hamilton, he remains focused on giving the team his full attention without engaging in discussions about potential new signings unless necessary.