P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen and George Russell Mercedes partnership given F1 champion’s blessing
Jenson Button has expressed support for Max Verstappen and George Russell potentially teaming up at Mercedes, with the F1 champion giving the move his approval.
Following confirmation of interest from Mercedes and discussions around Verstappen’s future, attention has turned to the dynamics between Verstappen and Russell, including their previous feuds.
Despite concerns over Russell’s future, Button believes that pairing Verstappen with Russell would create the strongest driver lineup for Mercedes in the upcoming F1 season.
Button acknowledged Russell’s strong performance and potential as a future world championship contender, but noted the importance of having two competitive drivers in the team amid upcoming regulation changes.
While recognizing Red Bull’s support for Verstappen and his success with the team, Button highlighted the challenges Verstappen could face at Mercedes and emphasized that switching teams does not guarantee immediate championship success.
