Max Verstappen and George Russell could be involved in one of the coldest moves in Formula 1 history

Max Verstappen and George Russell are at the center of the latest Formula 1 drama, with reports suggesting Verstappen could take Russell’s seat at Mercedes.

The four-time world champion is rumored to be exploring a shock exit from Red Bull, despite being under contract until 2028.

To add more spice to the drama, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hasn’t denied the talks. In fact, he even appears open to the move.

With the British Grand Prix just days away, the paddock is buzzing with speculation.

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Will Mercedes kick George Russell for Max Verstappen?

Sources indicate that talks between Max Verstappen and Mercedes are ‘close’ to being finalized, though nothing has been confirmed.

Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull through 2028, but performance-based exit clauses, coupled with Red Bull’s current slump, have opened a potential path for departure.

While Verstappen is certainly a legendary Formula 1 driver, he is no longer enjoying the dominant streak Red Bull had in previous seasons.

The Dutch driver is currently third in the championship, and only nine points ahead of Russell.

However, even if Mercedes is willing to pay for Verstappen, it still finds itself in a dilemma.

If Verstappen joins, either George Russell or rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli must make way.

While Antonelli is undoubtedly more junior, dropping the teenage prodigy Mercedes has been grooming for years would be a PR disaster.

On the other hand, cutting Russell, who delivered the team’s only win this season in Canada and has consistently outperformed expectations, would go down as one of the coldest moves in modern Formula 1 history.

In fact, the celebrity F1 driver’s dream car is a $2.7 million Mercedes-AMG ONE, which makes his potential Mercedes exit even sadder.

Observers pointed out that Russell’s contract for 2026 remains unsigned, making him the more vulnerable option despite his recent form.

Basically, if Mercedes really wants Verstappen, Russell is likely going to have to move on.

George Russell wants to continue with Mercedes

Wolff has kept his cards close to his chest for now. But he didn’t actually deny that he’s interested in grabbing Verstappen for the team.

“As a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world, it is clear you’re exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future,” he said.

Max Verstappen reportedly earns over $75 million a year, including endorsements, earning the F1 legend a pretty impressive personal car collection.

However, now that Mercedes is free of Lewis Hamilton’s massive contract, the company has the resources to match or exceed that.

Amid the speculation, George Russell himself doesn’t believe he’s going anywhere, and flatly denied speaking to other teams at all.

“Of course, there’s lots of conversations, lots of rumours, and all of these are being pointed towards me, but from my side, [I] feel that isn’t really going to be the case. I want to continue with Mercedes into the future,” he said.

“For me, it’s nothing to worry about because I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere, and whoever my teammate will be, it doesn’t concern me either. I’m just focused on the driving.”

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