George Russell ‘calling' F1 teams as Nico Rosberg proven right on Mercedes star
Nico Rosberg's previous comments about George Russell's precarious position at Mercedes seem to be hitting the mark, as Toto Wolff's chase for Max Verstappen heats up. The Silver Arrows' boss has not been shy about his admiration for Red Bull's No. 1 driver, and it appears Russell could be the one to make way for the Dutch star.
Wolff's courting of Verstappen has been public knowledge for some time, while Russell's contract has not been extended beyond this year.
Such is the speculation around Russell being replaced, Sky Sports ' Martin Brundle has even claimed that the 27-year-old is now ringing teams, looking to find a new home for his talents, as concerns grow over his future in F1.
Former world champion Rosberg told Russell last season that his job was not safe, insisting that Wolff would never tire in his chase of Verstappen. The ex-Mercedes star looks to have been proven correct, which will pile the pressure on Russell to outperform team-mate Kimi Antonelli this season, with the British Grand Prix fast approaching.
"George Russell is not safe at all because Toto still wants Max and he will try again for 2026," Rosberg said on Sky Sports in September 2024. "'Give up' does not appear in Toto's vocabulary.
"So if Max does become available and I do think it's a possibility, then it is a shootout between George and Kimi next year. And it's a lot of pressure on George because he has everything to lose. He should be the one ahead because Kimi is 18 and completely new. It's not an easy situation for George."
Sky Italy has claimed that Verstappen would be willing to consider a switch from Red Bull to Mercedes, with Wolff reportedly laying down an offer. Yet, Red Bull maintains that their star driver hasn't shown any eagerness to jump ship just yet.
Brundle, sharing his insights on Sky Sports F1, reckons Russell is now scrambling for a backup plan amid the swirling rumours. "I think George Russell is nervous and ringing around a little bit," he said.
"There's no smoke without fire. 2026 is massive, biggest change ever in F1 for the chassis and power unit and you guess Mercedes will be there or thereabouts. Would you put Red Bull (there) and can Max actually get out of his contract? Something's up."
Wolff once again revealed his ambitions to land Verstappen to Sky Sports in late June but claimed it did not impact Russell's new deal with the team.
"First of all, there is no delay in George's contract situation because it's pretty clear since a long time what our timings were," Wolff said. "We've known each other for such a long time, so there is no such thing as a delay.
"But also 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 [Verstappen] is going to do in the future, and that could be a long time in the future. But that has no effect on us putting a signature on George's contract."
Wolff added that Russell was aware of Mercedes' position on Verstappen. Mercedes' German chief has been the source of mixed messaging when it comes to chasing the Red Bull icon.
Summer 2024 saw Wolff publicly declare his interest in Verstappen over for the time being - yet his short-term commitment to Antonelli and Russell did little to banish the rumours and instead just moved them a year down the line.
As for Red Bull, they've not been shy about revealing that Verstappen holds an exit clause in his contract that reportedly allows him to leave if he moves lower than third in the World Drivers' Championship standings at a any point in the F1 2025 season.
Vertsappen is currently third in the standings, just nine points above Russell in fourth. However, it is understood that the clause changes to the top four after the Hungarian Grand Prix, just ahead of the summer break.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has also conceded that Verstappen does have a release clause "based on performance".
Speaking after the Austrian Grand Prix, where Verstappen was taken out of the race after a coming-together with Antonelli, Marko added that "there is no concern whatsoever about an exit" when it comes to Red Bull's prized possession. While team boss Christian Horner has called the ongoing speculation as "a lot of noise."
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