Any Formula One team would want Verstappen, says Russell
Any Formula One team would want to give Max Verstappen a chance, Mercedes driver George Russell said on Wednesday, amid ongoing speculation linking Red Bull's triple world champion with the German manufacturer.
Verstappen's father, Jos, has had a falling out with Red Bull principal Christian Horner, who was cleared of misconduct last week following allegations made by a female team employee.
Verstappen senior previously told the Daily Mail that if Horner stayed, the sport's dominant team would be torn apart and "explode."
He was also seen with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, an old friend, during the season-opening weekend in Bahrain, raising concerns about his son's future, despite Max having a contract until 2028.
Following the departure of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari, Mercedes now has a vacancy for 2025 alongside Russell.
"I think any team wants to have the best driver line-up possible," Russell told reporters ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, when asked if Verstappen could join Mercedes.
"Right now Max is the best driver on the grid so if any team had a chance to sign Max, they'd 100% be taking it."
"I think the question's more on the other side, on his side and Red Bull's side. Obviously so much going on there, we don't know what truly is going on behind closed doors and ultimately it's none of my business right now. It will be exciting."
Verstappen has won three consecutive driver's championships, as well as 19 of 22 races last season.
Last Saturday, he beat teammate Sergio Perez by more than 22 seconds from pole position in Bahrain, leading every lap and setting the fastest lap.
Russell stated that he had a "pretty good benchmark" of his own as Hamilton's teammate and would be satisfied with whoever Mercedes brought in as his replacement.
"This is my third season now alongside Lewis, greatest driver of all time," said the Briton.
"I feel like I've done a pretty good job alongside him so whoever were to line up alongside me next year or the years to come, I welcome anybody. I welcome the challenge. You always want to go against the best."
"I believe I can beat anybody on the grid, you've just got to have that mentality. Having Lewis as my benchmark for the last couple of years has been a pretty good benchmark for sure."
SportsLigue