Jos Verstappen, the father of Max Verstappen, has had a falling out with Christian Horner, the team boss of Red Bull. Horner was recently cleared of misconduct allegations made by a female team employee. Verstappen senior expressed concerns that the team could be torn apart if Horner remains. During the season-opening weekend in Bahrain, he was also seen with Toto Wolff, the boss of Mercedes and an old friend. This has raised doubts about Max’s future with Red Bull, despite his contract with the team until 2028. Mercedes currently has a vacancy for 2025, alongside George Russell, following Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari.
When asked if he could see Verstappen joining him at Mercedes, Russell responded that any team would want to have the best driver lineup possible. He acknowledged that Max is currently the best driver on the grid, so if any team had the chance to sign him, they would take it. However, Russell believes that the question lies more with Verstappen and Red Bull. He acknowledged that there is a lot happening behind closed doors and that it is not his business. Russell expressed excitement about the situation.
Verstappen has been dominant in Formula 1, winning the last three drivers’ titles and 19 out of 22 races last season. In the season opener in Bahrain, he beat his teammate Sergio Perez by over 22 seconds from pole position, leading every lap and setting the fastest lap.
Russell, who has been Hamilton’s teammate for three seasons, considers Hamilton the greatest driver of all time. He believes he has done a good job alongside Hamilton and would welcome any driver who replaces him at Mercedes. Russell sees it as a challenge and believes he can beat anyone on the grid.
There have been several drivers linked to the soon-to-be-vacated Mercedes seat, including their own reserve driver Mick Schumacher, Aston Martin veteran Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz who is leaving Ferrari to make way for Hamilton, and teenager Kimi Antonelli.