George Russell says he ‘wouldn’t be at all surprised’ if Max Verstappen took a step back from Formula 1 amid reports he could leave Red Bull.
Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028 and has enjoyed incredible success with the team, winning the last three championships, with a fourth title very likely in 2024.
However, rumours persist linking him with a shock exit, in part because of the fall out of the scandal revolving around team principal Christian Horner.
Moreover, Red Bull will soon be without their legendary car designer Adrian Newey, who has been credited with much of their success over the past 15 years, with the 65-year-old tipped to join Sir Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari.
Verstappen himself has always distanced himself from such speculation, but Red Bull could be in for a rough time over the next few years, especially with Newey not there to help when new design regulations come into play in 2026.
Mercedes have been linked with signing the Dutchman as they search for Hamilton’s replacement, though their underwhelming pace makes them a very unattractive proposition at the moment.
But Russell, who is contracted to the Silver Arrows until 2025, believes that everything could change, and thinks that Verstappen may be inclined to take a break and assess his long-term from afar.
‘Max can take a year off for 2026 and see which the best team is. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he did that,’ he told the Daily Mail.
‘Remember, 2026 is a lottery. So, you truly don’t know what will transpire.
‘I am a loyal guy and Mercedes have given me the opportunity, but I want to be a world champion. That’s not us at the moment.
‘But a year ago McLaren were the slowest team and now they are the quickest. I know my time will come. I’m not worried at all.’
The 2026 regulations are expected to radically shakeup the grid, as was the case when the new rules were brought in in 2022 and 2014.
By then, providing he stays, Russell will have a new teammate with Hamilton off to Ferrari, with Mercedes’ shortlist down to either Verstappen or teenage rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The 26-year-old has repeatedly said that he would fancy his chances against any driver, even one of the best the sport has ever seen.
‘I wouldn’t shy away from jumping alongside Max, nor would I shy away from him jumping in with us,’ the Brit added.
‘I had the biggest challenge of joining Mercedes against the greatest driver of all time statistically [Hamilton]. In qualifying and in the race, and I performed against him, and that’s all I can do.’
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