Russell dismisses Mercedes doubts as Red Bull confirms drivers are already enquiring about Max Verstappen’s seat – George Russell has rejected suggestions that his place at Mercedes is under threat despite continued speculation linking Max Verstappen with a move to Brackley for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
At the same time, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged that rival drivers have already made enquiries about replacing Verstappen should the Dutchman decide to leave the Milton Keynes-based team.
The two developments underline how Verstappen’s uncertain long-term future continues to dominate the Formula 1 driver market. While Mercedes continues to be linked with the four-time world champion, Red Bull is also preparing for every scenario as questions remain over whether Verstappen will stay beyond the current campaign.
George Russell rejects claims Mercedes favours Kimi Antonelli
Russell’s difficult Belgian Grand Prix weekend at Spa-Francorchamps has intensified scrutiny over his future.
After qualifying third, the British driver endured a frustrating race. He quickly lost ground on the opening lap as Mercedes lacked straight-line speed on the Kemmel Straight before making contact with Lewis Hamilton at the following chicane, forcing an early retirement.
The disappointing result left Russell 50 points behind championship leader and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, whose impressive rookie campaign has led to growing speculation that Mercedes has already made the Italian youngster its long-term priority.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher fuelled those rumours on Sky Germany’s Backstage Boxengasse podcast, claiming it was already clear internally which driver Mercedes was backing.
Russell, however, dismissed those suggestions during an interview with Sport Bild.
“I think that’s nonsense,” Russell said.
“Kimi isn’t being given preferential treatment. Look: the media are looking for the best possible story to get the most clicks and sell lots of newspapers. If they wrote the truth, they’d probably have trouble achieving their goals.”
The Mercedes driver also revealed he deliberately avoids following much Formula 1 media coverage.
“I only follow general news, but not Formula 1 news. I know the truth and I know how much I’m valued in the team. Toto Wolff doesn’t have a favourite driver.”
Russell insists Mercedes contract settles Verstappen speculation
Russell also addressed the ongoing rumours that Verstappen could eventually replace him at Mercedes.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has openly admired Verstappen for several years, and the Dutchman’s future has become one of the biggest talking points in the paddock as Red Bull continues working to return to the front of the grid.
Despite those persistent links, Russell expressed complete confidence about where he will be racing next season.
“I’ll be driving for Mercedes in 2027.”
He added:
“It’s the same thing: many think they know the truth, but actually only a few do. I have a contract for next year. That settles it.”
Russell’s comments represent his clearest public statement yet regarding his future and suggest he believes speculation surrounding a potential Verstappen arrival has been exaggerated.
Mercedes has not publicly commented on Russell’s remarks, while Wolff has previously maintained that discussions over future driver line-ups remain private.
Red Bull chief confirms rival drivers have already made contact
While Mercedes continues to be linked with Verstappen, Red Bull is simultaneously preparing for the possibility that its star driver could eventually depart.
Speaking to Sky Sports during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies admitted several drivers have already approached the team about Verstappen’s seat.
“It’s completely normal that Max is being called by all [teams] because he’s the best driver in the world,” Mekies said.
He added that it is equally natural for Red Bull to receive interest from drivers hoping to secure one of Formula 1’s most coveted seats.
“It’s also normal for a top team to receive calls from many good drivers who are already there.”
Although Mekies did not identify any of the drivers involved, his comments underline just how closely the paddock is monitoring Verstappen’s situation.
Speculation has ranged from a possible move to Mercedes to suggestions the Dutchman could even consider stepping away from Formula 1 if Red Bull cannot consistently challenge for victories under the sport’s new regulations.
Mekies believes improving Red Bull performance is the key to keeping Verstappen
Despite the continued rumours, Mekies insists Red Bull’s priority remains giving Verstappen a car capable of fighting at the front.
The Frenchman believes improved performance will ultimately be the deciding factor in convincing Verstappen to remain with the team.
“Our full focus is on making the car as fast as possible. Then we will also be able to keep the best driver in the world.”
Mekies pointed to the progress Red Bull has made in closing the gap to the front of the field.
“We were more than a second off the pace, and now we’re only talking about two or three tenths,” he explained.
“When you’re a second behind, it’s clear the drivers are frustrated, that Max is frustrated. And we know that’s not the position we want to stay in.”
The team principal also reaffirmed Red Bull’s commitment to its current driver pairing, describing Verstappen and rookie Isack Hadjar as the team’s ideal line-up.
“We have found our ideal driver pairing in Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, and we are trying to ensure that we maintain this pairing.”
Nevertheless, with Russell publicly insisting he is staying at Mercedes and Red Bull acknowledging interest from multiple drivers in a potential Verstappen vacancy, Formula 1’s driver market continues to revolve around one question: where Verstappen will ultimately race when the next chapter of his career begins.
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. 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.
Craig Alderson is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Craig oversees newsroom operations and coordinates editorial output across the site. With a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing, he plays a key role in maintaining consistency, speed, and accuracy in TJ13’s coverage.
During race weekends, Craig acts as desk lead, directing contributors, prioritising breaking stories, and ensuring timely publication across a fast-moving news cycle.
Craig’s work focuses heavily on real-time developments in the paddock, including team updates, regulatory decisions, and emerging controversies. This role requires a detailed understanding of Formula 1’s operational flow, from practice sessions through to race-day strategy and post-race fallout.
With experience managing editorial teams, Craig ensures that TJ13 delivers structured, reliable coverage while maintaining the site’s distinctive voice.
Craig has a particular interest in how information moves within the paddock environment, and how rapidly developing stories can be accurately translated into clear, accessible reporting for readers.
