George Russell has revealed that he was by no means frightened about dropping his race seat as Mercedes boss Toto Wolff flirted with the concept of signing Max Verstappen throughout the 2025 summer season break. The Briton has additionally conceded that the German staff was merely trying to signal one of the best driver on the F1 grid for the time being.
Ever since studies of Toto Wolff being concerned about bringing Max Verstappen to Mercedes first got here out in 2025, George Russell has maintained that he would perceive why the staff would need to signal the Dutchman. Nevertheless, he isn’t frightened that it will be at his expense.
Talking lately, Russell has as soon as once more reiterated that he by no means felt threatened by the concept of Verstappen shifting to Mercedes, even when he needs to be his teammate.
“I used to be by no means frightened about dropping my seat. As a staff, you need the very best driver pairing out there. Verstappen is at present one of the best driver on the grid,” Russell stated. [via Auto Motor and Sport on Monday]
Branding himself as one of the best on the grid alongside the 4x world champion, he added:
“Regardless of the place you place the 2 greatest collectively, a confrontation is inevitable ultimately. However a staff just like the one Mercedes had with Lewis and Valtteri, that is excellent.”
George Russell has signed a brand new contract with Mercedes, which can reportedly run until the tip of the 2026 season, with an possibility to increase an additional 12 months. His teammate Kimi Antonelli has additionally signed an identical deal. This implies the doorways at Brackley probably stay open for Max Verstappen in 2027.
As issues stand, the pecking order going into the brand new laws period stays unknown. If Mercedes is certainly the quickest package deal, as has been reported broadly, it may turn into a horny prospect for quite a few drivers on the grid.
George Russell previews F1’s new laws period commencing in 2026
George Russell has defined that the 2026 F1 laws are nearer in nature to the turbo-hybrid period that lasted from 2014 to 2021, a interval that was dominated by Mercedes. He additionally claimed that he was not able to put all his cash on the Silver Arrows simply but.
Talking about Mercedes probably being the quickest automotive in 2026, Russell stated:
“I might be a idiot to say I am placing all my cash on Mercedes. Subsequent 12 months’s aerodynamic laws are nearer to what we had within the earlier period when Mercedes dominated the sphere.”
Added to that’s his confidence within the engine.
“Mercedes has been the benchmark on this space for a few years,” Wilson added.
Mercedes is about to provide energy models to 4 groups in 2026, together with its personal works outfit. Ferrari will assist three groups, whereas Crimson Bull Powertrains will present engines to its two entries. Audi will be a part of the grid as a brand new engine producer, whereas Renault exits the game as a producer.
The 2026 F1 vehicles will hit the monitor for the primary time throughout the first pre-season check in Barcelona on Jan. 26. Earlier than then, all studies about which energy unit is superior stay purely speculative.
Edited by nagpaltusharn25
