George Russell denied rumours of Max Verstappen taking his Mercedes Formula 1 seat are “disrespectful”, citing even Ferrari would choose him over Lewis Hamilton.
The Briton was thrust into the lead role at the German marque for 2025 following the shock exit of Hamilton, who announced his departure at the start of last season.
After 12 years and six titles with the Silver Arrows, a difficult end to Hamilton’s tenure – combined with the allure of Ferrari – prompted his headline switch to Maranello.
A rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli stepped up to replace him to complete Mercedes’ line-up, though rumours have persisted about Russell’s long-term future at the team.
With Verstappen facing turbulence at Red Bull, rumours of a 2026 switch have resurfaced – and Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle claimed Wolff wouldn’t pass up a second chance to sign the reigning World Champion, warning he’d be “worried” for Russell if Verstappen became available.
But Russell remains unfazed, insisting a Verstappen move wouldn’t be disrespectful, highlighting that the reigning F1 champion would be every team’s first choice.
“No, because the fact is that there are two seats in a Formula 1 team and I’ve already said that I’d be happy to be Verstappen’s team-mate,” he told Mundo Deportivo.
“But the fact is: why wouldn’t a team want Verstappen?
“If I were Toto, and you had two options… If you could have any driver and all the drivers were available, I would choose myself and choose Verstappen, if I were in Toto’s shoes.
“So I don’t see it as disrespectful; that’s how the sport goes.”
“Ferrari would choose Verstappen and Leclerc,” he continued. “McLaren would probably choose Verstappen and… here it would perhaps be more challenging: Norris or Piastri.
“But if by 2026, each team could choose its drivers, Verstappen would be the number one choice for all teams. So it’s not disrespectful, it’s just reality.”
Russell unfazed by contract uncertainty
Mercedes’ 2026 driver line-up remains undecided, with Russell’s contract set to expire at the end of this season.
While the Brackley-based squad holds an option to extend Antonelli’s deal, Russell would become a free agent next year if no agreement is reached.
Despite this uncertainty, the three-time Grand Prix winner is confident he will soon commit his future to Mercedes, emphasising the importance of performance over contract length.
“There is trust,” Russell added. “I think the abnormal thing is to see Leclerc sign for five years, Lando sign for five years, Oscar sign for three years.
“Many of these drivers… Maybe I’ll forget a few names now, but many of these drivers have signed very long-term contracts with their team. That’s not normal.
“Mercedes has always had a focus on… I wouldn’t say that I work year after year, but for my part, not having signed doesn’t worry me at all.
“Because with or without a contract, if you perform, you are good, and if you do not perform, you are not good.
“There were drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, who had a contract, but he was left out.
“Checo Pérez had a contract and did not continue, therefore, a contract means nothing in Formula 1.
“For me, when I’m a driver, I’m fast and I’m on the podium, that gives me more confidence than a piece of paper with a signature.”
Russell committed to Mercedes despite current challenges
Even with the challenges Mercedes currently faces on track, Russell remains determined to continue his journey with the team.
“Yes, but McLaren also has our engine and now we are way behind McLaren,” he said. “At the moment, we are closer to Williams than to McLaren.
“So, of course, there’s a lot of positivity around our 2026 engine, but this is noise, not facts. Because how do you know what others will do?
“I know what Mercedes has, but I don’t know what Ferrari has. I don’t know what Red Bull has, so all this noise, it’s bulls**t.
“Of course, my intention is to continue with Mercedes, it’s where I want to be.
“And nothing would make me happier than winning with Mercedes, above all, for the people. Because they are the ones who have worked so hard for us to recover and to win, and it is not easy.”
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