George Russell reveals true state of Max Verstappen relationship and opens Mercedes door | F1 | Sport

George Russell insists that he ‘would relish’ the chance to face Max Verstappen as his team-mate at Mercedes, and insists that he has no issue with the four-time world champion, despite their intense rivalry and recent off-track trash-talking. 

Verstappen was heavily linked with a move to Mercedes earlier this season but opted against gambling his long-term Formula One future in 2025, before the new technical regulations come into effect. However, should Red Bull fail to provide a competitive car next season, the Dutchman will be on the market once again.

Mercedes would be one of the leading candidates to secure the 27-year-old’s signature, but in doing so, Toto Wolff would likely find himself with an explosive driver pairing in Verstappen and Russell, who engaged in a public spat late in the 2024 campaign. 

Speaking to The Telegraph, however, Russell made it clear that while he and Verstappen are far from best friends, they remain civil and could coexist as team-mates. “We’re fine,” he explained. 

“We just say hello to each other. We don’t really speak. But we don’t ignore each other. I don’t lose sleep over it. And for sure, he doesn’t lose sleep over it. So it doesn’t bother me one single bit.

“Life is short. We’re all adults. We all learn from these experiences. You don’t need to be best mates as team-mates. [Ayrton] Senna and [Alain] Prost weren’t good friends, and they still finished one-two. Lewis [Hamilton] and Nico [Rosberg], one-two. 

“Obviously, Lewis and Fernando [Alonso, in 2007] is a notable exception. But Lewis should have won that year. So yeah, Max is an incredible driver. There’s no denying that. But that’s why I would relish going up against him. We all believe we’re the best.”

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I don’t see why he wouldn’t. I mean, it’s obviously more of a lose-lose situation for him. The same as when I was team-mates with Lewis. If he beat me, he was expected to. But if he lost to me, yeah, it’s seen as a big loss. Or the same with me and Kimi [Antonelli] now. But I mean, we’re getting well ahead of ourselves here.”

In the meantime, Russell and Verstappen have a Constructors’ Championship fight to sway. Mercedes are currently 10 points ahead of Red Bull in the battle for second place with five races remaining, and Ferrari are sandwiched between the two F1 giants. 

Of course, Verstappen could remain with Red Bull throughout the entirety of his current deal, which runs until 2028. The Milton Keynes squad have taken a significant step forward under Laurent Mekies’ stewardship. If they continue on their current trajectory, they will pose a considerable threat when the new regulations take effect next year.