Breaking news: Max Verstappen backed to ‘100%’ replace George Russell… read more.
Max Verstappen backed to ‘100%’ replace George Russell… read more.
Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, is currently one of the most sought-after drivers on the grid. With uncertainty surrounding his future at Red Bull, several teams are eager to secure his signature for upcoming seasons. Mercedes, in particular, has long admired Verstappen, with team principal Toto Wolff actively trying to lure him away from Red Bull ahead of the 2025 season.
However, Verstappen has shown no interest in making the move, prompting Wolff to promote Kimi Antonelli to take over Lewis Hamilton’s seat instead. Despite this, the possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes in 2026 or later remains a topic of discussion. Mercedes currently has two seats available, and it is anticipated that either Antonelli or George Russell would have to make way for Verstappen. Given that Russell’s contract is expiring this year and Wolff views Antonelli as a potential successor to Verstappen, it seems likely that Russell would be the one to exit if Verstappen decides to join.
Rob Smedley, who served as a race engineer for Felipe Massa at Ferrari from 2006 to 2013, expressed strong support for replacing Russell with Verstappen. In a recent appearance on the F1 Nation podcast, Smedley reflected on the sheer talent and uniqueness of Verstappen, emphasizing that he is among the elite drivers who can outperform the capabilities of their cars.
Smedley highlighted Verstappen’s exceptional performance in recent races, noting his ability to extract maximum potential from the car, particularly during qualifying sessions and race starts. He stated that if he were tasked with making the decision, he would undoubtedly choose Verstappen over any other driver on the grid.
Smedley further elaborated on why he would make such a choice, pointing out that Verstappen’s raw talent, determination, and focus on racing set him apart. He emphasized that Verstappen is singularly dedicated to the sport, disregarding the peripheral distractions that often accompany Formula 1.
According to Smedley, having a driver like Verstappen on the team would elevate Mercedes to new heights. He believes that Verstappen’s motivation and talent could inspire the entire team to strive for excellence, pushing everyone to give their best effort every day. In Smedley’s view, attracting and utilizing talent like Verstappen is crucial for the team’s success, as Formula 1 is fundamentally about harnessing talent and orchestrating it for optimal performance.
