Christian Horner Says " It would be foolish"

Christian Horner Says ” It would be foolish” for his team not to…read More.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hinted that his team could be interested in pursuing Mercedes driver George Russell once the Brit’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2025. Although Red Bull has reigning world champion Max Verstappen secured until 2028, the inconsistent performances of Verstappen’s current teammate, Sergio Perez, have cast doubts over Red Bull’s long-term driver line-up, prompting speculation about possible future recruits.

Horner recently commented that Red Bull would be “foolish” not to consider Russell when his contract with Mercedes comes to an end. This statement signals that Red Bull may look beyond their own driver development program, which has traditionally focused on promoting young talents from within, to secure a proven competitor like Russell. Horner’s remarks suggest that the team is weighing up its options, especially as they face a potential gap in their driver roster due to Perez’s ongoing struggles to match Verstappen’s dominance on the track.

George Russell, who joined Mercedes in 2022 after several impressive seasons with Williams, signed a contract extension in 2023 that ties him to the team until the end of 2025. Initially brought on as a successor to the legendary Lewis Hamilton, Russell is poised to lead Mercedes as their top driver once Hamilton leaves for Ferrari at the end of this season. However, despite being positioned as Mercedes’ future star, Russell’s long-term role within the team is becoming less certain, particularly in light of recent developments.

One major factor influencing Russell’s future at Mercedes is team principal Toto Wolff’s very public interest in signing Max Verstappen. Wolff has openly expressed admiration for Verstappen, and his attempts to lure the Dutchman away from Red Bull have sparked significant attention. If Mercedes were to secure Verstappen, it could create a potential power struggle within the team, with Russell possibly being pushed aside despite his impressive abilities.

Further complicating Russell’s situation is Mercedes’ signing of highly-rated teenage driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Seen as a rising star in motorsport, Antonelli has been tapped to replace Hamilton, meaning Russell could face competition for his position within the team. As Mercedes looks to the future with both Verstappen and Antonelli on their radar, questions are arising about how Russell fits into the team’s evolving plans.

Meanwhile, Red Bull is keeping a close eye on the situation. Despite their strong academy system that has produced promising talents such as Liam Lawson and Ayumu Iwasa, Horner has admitted that the team could have a gap to fill in the near future. Perez’s underwhelming form has already sparked rumors of a potential replacement, and Russell’s experience and proven skillset could make him an attractive option for Red Bull.

Horner’s comments highlight the possibility that Red Bull may pursue Russell if his future at Mercedes becomes uncertain. While Red Bull has traditionally promoted young talent, they might look to bring in an established driver to partner Verstappen if Perez’s struggles continue. As Mercedes contemplates its own future with drivers like Verstappen and Antonelli, Russell’s position is far from guaranteed, opening the door for potential interest from other top teams like Red Bull.