Russell advises Wolff: 'Bring Verstappen to Mercedes!'

13:42, 31 May

Updated: 15:11, 31 May

byNorberto Mujica

George Russell advises Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff to sign Max Verstappen next season, as a replacement for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Russell does want to be in the same team as Verstappen.

At the moment, neither of the Mercedes drivers have a contract for the upcoming season, and it is no secret Toto Wolff would like to bring the Dutchman in.

Still, GPblog could confirm that Max Verstappen will not trigger his exit clause and will remain with Red Bull Racing for 2026.

George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W16 in Spain.

'Toto should sign Verstappen as my teammate'

"The fact is, there are two seats in a Formula 1 team. And I've already said I'd be happy to be Verstappen's teammate. But the fact is: why wouldn't a team want Verstappen?," Russell began to Mundo Deportivo, before issuing a word of wisdom in the confronts of his team principal, Wolff.

"If I were Toto (Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal), and you had two choices... If you could have any driver and all the drivers were available, I would choose myself and I would choose Verstappen, if I were in Toto's shoes," the Briton recommended.

Whilst the situation would be much clearer in Ferrari, Russell refrains when selecting which driver would have to make way for Verstappen at McLaren.

"So I don't see it as disrespectful. That's how the sport goes. And Ferrari, if I could choose, would choose Verstappen and Leclerc. McLaren would probably choose Verstappen and... here it would perhaps be more challenging: Norris or Piastri."

"But if by 2026, every team could choose its drivers, Verstappen would be the number one choice for every team. So it's not disrespectful. It's just the reality," concluded Russell.