George Russell recently addressed the rumors surrounding Max Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes in the future. The news of Verstappen’s transfer to Ferrari in 2025 created a buzz in the F1 community, leading to speculations about who might replace the seven-time world champion. One unexpected name that emerged was Max Verstappen’s.
Currently under contract with Red Bull until 2028, Verstappen’s future with the team became uncertain amidst the controversy. After Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was cleared of allegations following an anonymous mail of leaked evidence, Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation and hinted at the possibility of considering other teams for his son. As the speculations about Verstappen’s potential move gained momentum, George Russell was asked about his thoughts on the matter.
Russell believes that the decision ultimately lies with Max Verstappen and his current team, Red Bull, in terms of how they handle the controversy. However, if Verstappen were to leave, Mercedes would be the most likely destination considering Ferrari’s commitments to their current drivers until 2025. During the Bahrain GP weekend, Jos Verstappen and Toto Wolff, the CEO of Silver Arrows motorsports, had a meeting, with Wolff even hinting at the possibility of welcoming the Dutch driver to Mercedes.
In a separate incident, George Russell has called for transparency following a report claiming that FIA President interfered in overturning a penalty from the previous season. During the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP, Russell initially finished in fourth place but was briefly promoted to third when another driver received a 10-second penalty for a pit crew mistake. However, the decision was later reversed, and Max Verstappen emerged as the winner of the race at the Jeddah Street Circuit.
The Mercedes team simply wants transparency and a fair playing field. According to Russell, they want the opportunity to showcase their abilities on equal grounds. Russell expressed his surprise at the penalty being overturned, as he believed that the Mercedes Legal team had effectively presented their case and won. Unfortunately, the team ultimately lost the case.
According to the BBC, FIA President intervened to reverse the penalty imposed on Alonso. The FIA’s compliance officer has received two complaints related to potential whistleblower claims against Ben Sulayem. Russell’s main concern now is to ensure transparency in order to maintain fairness in the sport.