Red Bull would “consider” an approach for George Russell if Mercedes fail to promote him to their second seat for the 2022 Formula 1 season, according to Helmut Marko.
Williams driver Russell is a Mercedes junior and is eyeing the second seat alongside Lewis Hamilton – who has signed a deal for two more years – for next year, but it depends entirely on what Toto Wolff does with Valtteri Bottas, who hasn’t impressed this year.
Bottas trails Hamilton by 58 points in the F1 standings, has failed to win a race and is fifth in the rankings, behind McLaren’s Lando Norris.
It’s expected that Russell will get the second seat – with rumours of an announcement at this weekend’s British Grand Prix – and whilst Marko is certain of that, he says a move for the Britain is “worth considering” if it doesn’t materialise for the 23-year-old.
“Russell is certainly worth considering with the performances he is now showing at Williams,” Marko told Motorsport-Total.
“The only thing is, that’s so Utopian, because if Mercedes let him go, that would be such a faux pas, that I honestly can’t imagine it.”
However Marko doesn’t believe it’s something he or Red Bull need to think about given the certainty that Russell will get the seat: “If I am informed correctly, then it is not relevant.”
Red Bull has a long-term deal with championship leader Max Verstappen, but only a one-year deal with Sergio Perez who isn’t thought to be a long-term solution for the energy drinks team.
