George Russell is once again the centre of media speculation as Formula One begins its race weekend in Belgium. The Mercedes driver has stepped up to lead the team since the departure of Lewis Hamilton and has hardly put a foot wrong so far this season.
Having collected four podiums and a win, Russell is the most successful driver in the field of 2025 behind the two McLaren drivers and world champion ax Verstappen. Whilst his rookie team mate has struggled with his transition to F1, George has scored around 70% of Mercedes points to date and should be nailed on with a contract with the silver arrows for 2026.
Yet neither driver for the Brackley based team has yet been given a contract, as the entire paddock waits with baited breath to see if Max Verstappen will jump ships. With Kimi Antonelli being hailed by Toto Wolff as a future F1 champion, it seems if Verstappen were to join the Mercedes team it would be Russell who is forced to make way.
Russell/Verstappen war of words
George has been making noises for some time about his future with the Mercedes F1 team and when asked about his thoughts over the world champion moving to Mercedes, he has reverted to the defensive position, ‘there’s two seats in every F1 team.’
Of course Verstappen and Russell have had their spats over the past year, with the Mercedes driver describing dramatically Max as a “bully.” In Qatar was where it all kicked off, with Russell hurtling up behind Verstappen’s Red Bull when the pair were on an outlap in qualifying.
The Mercedes driver claimed Verstappen was driving dangerously slow, when in fact he was allowing Alonso ahead of him to begin his push lap in the session. The stewards sided with Russell and Verstappen was infuriated because he claimed the Mercedes’ driver had pressed race control for him to be punished.
“I find it all quite ironic, considering Saturday night he said he’s going to purposely go out of his way to crash into me and, quote, “put me on my fucking head in the wall. People have been bullied by Max for years now, and you can’t question his driving abilities. But he cannot deal with adversity whenever anything has gone against him,” said Russell before the race on Sunday.
Red Bull petition stewards over George’s “unsporting” behaviour
With Verstappen just 3 points away from a race ban, matters flared up again between the drivers at this year’s Canadian Grand Prix. Leading the race, George was at the head of the field during a safety car period. He sped up and braked suddenly, causing Verstappen to briefly overtake the Mercedes – which is not allowed.
Whilst Verstappen avoided punishment from the stewards for his transgression, Red Bull petitioned to stewards to rule against Russell on the charge of “unsportsmanlike behaviour.” Any penalty awarded to Max for passing the Mercedes driver cold have resulted in a race ban.
So the prospect of Max Verstappen and George Russell as team mates, appears a long shot at best. And given Verstappen reportedly vetoed the recruitment of Carlo Sainz to Red Bull last year – due to alleged spats ten years ago when they were paired at Toro Rosso – its highly likely he wold make similar demands of Mercedes about being team mates with George Russell.
Once again, the British driver was forced to fend off questions in Belgium over why having done such an excellent job this season, had Mercedes yet to give him a contract extension. Russell was again in defensive mode suggesting the team “needs me” as much as he “needs them.”
Alpine quit developing 2025 car
Russell curt reposes to question
Wolff is playing the same game with Russell as he did with Hamilton last time contract negotiations were taking place at Mercedes. Whilst Lewis required a genuine multi-year driving deal, Wolff refused offering him and Russell a one plus one year arrangement.
Hamilton demonstrated his displeasure it the apparent insult. By weeks after signing with Mercedes, he exercised his option to leave after just one year of his new deal. TJ13 has heard reports that Russell is pushing for a three year contract, whilst Wolff prefers another one plus one type deal.
George was asked about comments made by Toto Wolff where he claimed it was an “absolute priority” to secure the Russell-Antonelli driver line up for 2026. “That was for you, not for me,” Russell curtly responded when it was suggested this added some “safety” to his position as a Mercedes driver.
“They need me” says George abut Mercedes
Russell does admit he has been stressed over the unknown future, but is philosophical knowing he can only do his best out on track. “Who knows what happens behind closed doors, but nothing from my side has changed. I wasn’t even aware of this statement until one hour ago, so it is not something I’m looking for or care about.
“In these last months, I’m going from a position where I was stressed about my future, and I was concerned about it, and I’ll just continue to perform, and it is in my own hands, so there is no point losing sleep over it.
“Mercedes needs the best drivers in their race car, and I believe that I am right up there, and I don’t think there are many people doing a better job than I am. So I need them, and they need me, and that is how it goes in racing,” concluded a less than relaxed George Russell.
This tine last year, Russell won the Belgian Grand Prix, but his Mercedes team failed to ensure his car was within the weight limits. He was subsequently disqualified by the stewards and the race win handed to his team mate Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen explains “new direction” for Red Bull under Mekies
Max Verstappen comes into the Belgian Grand Prix looking for only his third win of the season. The world champion is having his worst start to a year since the 2020 campaign when he claimed just one victory before the Formula One summer break.
Hope of a record equaling fifth consecutive world drivers’ title is all but gone, yet with half a season of racing ahead there are wins and milestones for Verstappen to collect with Spa Francorchamps one of the better circuits for the RB21.
Besides a short social media post, thanking Christian Horner for everything, Verstappen has remained thin lipped over the removal of the Red Bull Racing team boss, but in his first interview on the topic Verstappen’s thoughts are most telling…. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
