BREAKING NEWS: Toto Wolff hits back....Christian Horner hint......

Red Bull’s Christian Horner Hints at Possible Move for George Russell, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff Hits Back

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has suggested that his team would be “foolish” not to consider signing George Russell when the Mercedes driver’s contract expires at the end of 2025. This comes amid speculation about Mercedes’ future driver lineup following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari at the end of this season. However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has dismissed Horner’s remarks as an attempt to stir up trouble.

Russell, who signed a contract extension with Mercedes in 2023 to keep him with the Silver Arrows through 2025, is widely seen as Hamilton’s successor as Mercedes’ lead driver. With Hamilton set to join Ferrari, Russell is expected to take on a more prominent role within the team. However, Horner’s comments have sparked fresh rumors about Russell’s long-term future with Mercedes, especially as Wolff has openly pursued Red Bull’s star driver, Max Verstappen.

Horner Eyes Russell as Potential Red Bull Target

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, Horner acknowledged that Red Bull has a strong pool of young talent coming through its driver academy. However, he also hinted at a potential “gap” in the team’s lineup in the near future, leading them to explore other options for experienced drivers. With Russell’s Mercedes contract expiring at the end of 2025, Horner made it clear that Red Bull would be interested in considering him as a potential target.

“We’ve got a gap now, but we just want to take the time to consider what those options look like for the future,” Horner said. “And we’re not afraid to go outside of our own driver pool. George Russell is out of contract at the end of next year. It would be foolish not to take that into consideration. There are other talented drivers who could also be out of contract as well.”

Horner’s remarks have added fuel to the speculation surrounding Red Bull’s future driver lineup. While Red Bull has a wealth of young drivers developing in its system, the prospect of signing an established driver like Russell could give the team a more immediate solution to any potential gaps in their lineup.

Wolff Dismisses Horner’s Comments as “Stirring”

Following Horner’s comments, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was quick to respond, accusing his Red Bull counterpart of trying to create unnecessary drama. Wolff, who has been publicly linked to a pursuit of Max Verstappen as a potential future Mercedes driver, dismissed the idea that Russell’s position at Mercedes was under threat.

“Horner is always stirring things up. He loves to throw names out there just to create a bit of noise,” Wolff said after Sunday’s race in Singapore. “George is fully committed to Mercedes, and we’ve got a clear plan for our future with him.”

Despite Wolff’s dismissal, rumors about Mercedes’ driver lineup have persisted, especially following Wolff’s pursuit of Verstappen. The Red Bull driver’s contract with his current team runs until the end of 2028, but it is known to include exit clauses, leaving some uncertainty about whether Verstappen will remain with Red Bull for the duration of the contract.

Uncertainty Around Verstappen and Perez

Red Bull’s driver lineup also faces uncertainty in other areas. While Verstappen has become a dominant force in the sport, questions remain about his long-term commitment to the team, particularly if Red Bull’s performance were to dip in the coming years. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, signed a contract extension in June that ties him to Red Bull until the end of 2026. However, Perez’s underwhelming performance so far this season has led to doubts about whether he will retain his seat next year, despite the contract.

Horner has previously stated that Red Bull is evaluating its options when it comes to Perez, but the prospect of Russell potentially becoming available in 2026 could present an intriguing opportunity for the team.

Future Driver Market Speculation

As the Formula 1 driver market continues to evolve, the potential availability of big names like Russell and Verstappen could set the stage for a dramatic reshuffling of the grid in the coming years. While Wolff remains confident in Mercedes’ ability to retain Russell and has his eyes on other top-tier talent, Horner’s suggestion of considering Russell adds an interesting dynamic to the ongoing battle between the two teams.

For now, the focus remains on the final races of the 2024 season, but the moves made in the driver market will undoubtedly shape the sport’s future, with Red Bull and Mercedes at the center of the intrigue.