Red Bull boss Christian Horner might never want to imagine a world without Max Verstappen in his team, but in Formula 1, nothing is ever certain. And just in case Verstappen decides to make a surprise move, Horner appears to be laying some early groundwork—by reportedly having “informal chats” with Mercedes’ George Russell.
Let’s rewind a bit. Verstappen made a huge splash when he won his very first race with Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix back in 2016—becoming the youngest-ever winner in F1 history. Since then, he’s racked up four world titles and is now chasing a fifth.
But this season hasn’t been as smooth as previous ones. Despite already snagging a win, Verstappen currently trails Oscar Piastri in the standings by 12 points. Add in swirling rumors of a potential exit clause in his contract, and it’s easy to see why Red Bull might be cautiously planning ahead.
Russell’s Future at Mercedes in Question?
Enter George Russell. He’s one of the top names whose contract is set to expire at the end of this season. Currently earning £12 million a year (with performance bonuses that could take it to £18 million), Russell’s long-term spot at Mercedes isn’t set in stone. One major reason? Team principal Toto Wolff is a big fan of Verstappen and could be keeping a door open in case the Dutchman becomes available.
This puts Russell in an awkward spot. While his performances arguably deserve a renewal, Mercedes may hold off committing—just in case they can sign Verstappen during the summer break.
That uncertainty has reportedly led to some low-key conversations between Russell and Horner. According to The Race, the two have exchanged updates about their respective situations—but nothing beyond informal chats at this point. No contract offers, no negotiations—just a mutual awareness of what could be.
A Complicated History Between Horner and Russell
Interestingly, Horner and Russell have interacted more in the past year than ever before. When whispers of Verstappen heading to Mercedes first surfaced, Horner made it known he’d consider Russell as a possible replacement. That was seen by many as a cheeky jab at Wolff—especially since Wolff had publicly flirted with the idea of Verstappen in silver.
Things got even tenser after the Qatar Grand Prix last year when Verstappen and Russell were caught up in a post-qualifying feud. Allegedly harsh words were exchanged, and the fallout got so heated that Wolff accused Horner of crossing a line. If the two end up trading drivers in 2025, that frosty relationship probably won’t be thawing anytime soon.
