Russell’s Mercedes dream team bombshell: ‘Verstappen and me!’

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George Russell has fired up the F1 rumour mill again, this time throwing open the doors of Mercedes to none other than Max Verstappen, saying he’d be “happy” to share a garage with the reigning world champion.

With his own contract up at the end of 2025, Russell isn’t fazed by the swirling speculation linking the four-time champion to Mercedes.

Instead, he’s leaning into it, boldly claiming that if he were calling the shots as team principal Toto Wolff, he’d pick himself and Verstappen as the Brackley squad’s ultimate dream team.

A No-Nonsense Choice for Greatness

Speaking to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Russell candidly addressed the persistent Verstappen-to-Mercedes rumors.

Despite past differences and off-track bickering with the Dutchman, the 27-year-old Brit would see no reason to shy away from the challenge of racing alongside F1’s biggest star.

©Mercedes

“The truth is, no,” Russell said when asked if the rumors were tiresome or disrespectful. “No, because the fact is, there are two seats in a Formula 1 team. And I've already said I'd be happy to be Verstappen's team-mate.

“But the fact is: why wouldn't a team want Verstappen? If I were Toto, and you had two choices... If you could have any driver and all the drivers were available, I would choose myself and I would choose Verstappen - if I were in Toto's shoes.”

“It’s not disrespectful, it's just the reality”

Russell’s logic is hard to argue with. Verstappen, with his relentless pace and championship pedigree, is the golden ticket every team craves.

The Mercedes charger even mused about the grid’s top squads, meaning no disrespect – just expressing a recognition of Verstappen’s dominance and what he brings to a team.

Read also: Verstappen exit clause with Red Bull set to vanish after Spanish GP

“So I don't see it as disrespectful,” he added. “That's how the sport goes.

“And Ferrari, if I could choose, would choose Verstappen and Leclerc. McLaren would probably choose Verstappen and... here it would perhaps be more challenging: Norris or Piastri.

“But if by 2026, every team could choose its drivers, Verstappen would be the number one choice for every team. So it's not disrespectful, it's just the reality.”

With Russell’s contract talks looming and Verstappen’s Red Bull future under scrutiny, the fiery endorsement certainly adds fuel to the silly season blaze.

Meanwhile, poor Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ golden boy for the future, just updated his ‘To-Do’ list to include: “Beat George”.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.