P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has dismissed Christian Horner’s claim that the team could weigh up a move to prise George Russell from Formula 1 rivals Mercedes.
The Austrian squad has been struggling to fill the second seat alongside Max Verstappen ever since Daniel Ricciardo left the team in 2018. Ricciardo’s return to Red Bull last season was aimed at determining if he could perform at the level needed to reclaim his former position, but his underwhelming results have led to Liam Lawson being announced as his replacement for the remaining races. With Ricciardo failing to meet expectations, Red Bull’s options for a driver swap in light of Sergio Perez’s challenges have become limited. Red Bull is now considering looking outside their driver development program, possibly considering drivers like George Russell, whose contract with Mercedes ends next year. While Russell’s potential availability could depend on Mercedes’ moves in pursuing Verstappen, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has hinted that they are focusing on nurturing their own young talents. The speculation surrounding Russell’s future has also been seen as a strategic move by Red Bull to put pressure on Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
