P1racenews AI automatic summary:
In the midst of F1 silly season, two names are gaining the most attention and generating the majority of the speculation: Max Verstappen and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. With both drivers linked to Mercedes, where does that leave George Russell?
George Russell is contracted with Mercedes until the end of 2025, but his future beyond that is uncertain due to potential team changes. Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari next season guarantees Russell a new teammate, yet the identity of this teammate remains unknown. Max Verstappen, currently with Red Bull until 2028, faces uncertainties with Adrian Newey’s departure and the possibility of joining Mercedes in the future. Toto Wolff has expressed interest in bringing Verstappen to Mercedes, potentially in 2026 under new F1 regulations. Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli is seen as a talent for the future, possibly affecting Russell’s position within the team. The addition of Carlos Sainz to Mercedes in 2025 could further complicate Russell’s future, leading to speculation about potential team configurations.
