George Russell on the chopping block as Mercedes inches closer to securing Max Verstappen
One of the coldest moves in F1 history is currently being orchestrated behind the scenes, according to a revealing new report out of Italy.
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The word loyalty means nothing in F1 if you have a chance at snagging Max Verstappen.
The four-time world champion’s potential move to Mercedes has thrown the Formula 1 paddock into disarray, with serious questions now being raised about George Russell’s future at the team he now calls home.
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Speculation that Verstappen is considering a sensational switch from Red Bull to Mercedes reached fever pitch ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, as new reports out of Italy suggested talks between the reigning world champion and Mercedes had progressed.
Sky Italy reported the deal was “close” to being closed, but nothing has been confirmed by either team.
It’s understood that Verstappen’s camp initiated contact, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was quick to oblige.
“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,” Wolff said last weekend in Austria.
Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until 2028, but his deal reportedly includes performance-based exit clauses. With Red Bull’s dominance no longer assured and Verstappen sitting third in the standings — just nine points ahead of Russell — murmurs of a potential departure have grown louder.
Christian Horner has dismissed it all as “a lot of noise”, while Helmut Marko insists the exit clauses haven’t been triggered despite Red Bull’s obvious slump.
“As things currently stand, there is absolutely no reason that this contract won’t be fulfilled,” Marko said.
But if Verstappen does jump ship, Mercedes will need to make room — and that’s where things get mighty uncomfortable for Wolff.
On paper, the logical candidate to make way is 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli.
He’s done incredibly well in his first few showings at the highest level, but Russell is still by and large the team’s most capable point scorer.
But cutting the teenage prodigy Mercedes has spent years nurturing through the junior ranks would ignite a PR firestorm the team will avoid like the plague.
Dropping Antonelli before he even gets a proper shot would seriously undermine the development system Wolff has championed.
That leaves Russell in the firing line.
Russell has been one of the standout performers of 2025, consistently outperforming the car and emerging as a reliable team leader after Hamilton’s exit.
His axing would go down as one of the coldest in modern F1 history. But it’s not entirely unprecedented, according to former driver and commentary royalty Martin Brundle
The Sky Sports pundit says that despite Russell’s impressive form, his contract remains unsigned for 2026.
“He’s the more vulnerable of the two,” Brundle said. “If Mercedes really want Max, Russell is probably the one who has to move on.”
What’s everyone saying?
2009 World Champion Jenson Button says Verstappen is “the best who has ever raced in a Formula 1 car” and therefore has the rare luxury of picking and choosing where he goes for 2026, when the sport’s new regulations are brought in.
Button suggested Verstappen’s camp has got early mail on Mercedes’ new dominant power unit and are now gunning for an exit at Red Bull, which will be manufacturing its own power unit from 2026 on.
McLaren driver Lando Norris, who is a friend of Verstappen, says he “doesn’t really care” where the Dutchman races next year, probably because when they meet on track, it’ll be business as usual no matter what car he’s in.
Red Bull team principal Horner has done his best to shut down the “noise” surrounding Verstappen’s future, but as he’s learned in the past, it’s hard to get ahead of every story in the paddock.
“It’s a lot of noise,” Horner told Sky Sports last week.
“I think Max gets quite annoyed by it and we’re very clear with the contract that we have with Max until 2028, so anything is entirely speculative that is being said.
“But we tend not to pay too much attention to it.”
How much would Verstappen be paid?
Verstappen is currently the highest-paid driver on the grid, earning a reported base salary of $65 million from Red Bull Racing.
His earnings are further bolstered by performance-based bonuses and endorsement deals, bringing his total annual income to approximately $78 million.
His lucrative endorsements include partnerships with brands such as EA Sports and Heineken, which help to boost his massive financial portfolio beyond the racetrack.
But even with hundreds of millions locked in at Red Bull until 2028, Verstappen is still reportedly fishing for an exit. Mercedes has the financials to accomodate him, especially after being freed from Lewis Hamilton’s massive contract.
Martin Brundle says Red Bull is likely in damage control scrambling to keep Verstappen, which might mean more money is put on the table.
“Contracts are lodged independently, but deals can be done. You can’t force a driver to stay,” Brundle said.
“You’d go through an awful lot of trouble to stop Verstappen leaving and to make him happy again.
“So yeah, we’ve got this really big bubbling point at the moment.”
The 2025 F1 season continues this weekend in Great Britain.
Originally published as George Russell on the chopping block as Mercedes inches closer to securing Max Verstappen
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