All eyes on Verstappen
Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull, officially announced by the team and by the British designer himself during this week, has automatically generated doubts about other, possible excellent exits from the Milton Keynes house already for the next one. The disagreements that arose within the team have in fact generated rumors about another departure like that of Max Verstappenwho was already much courted by Mercedes.
Russell welcomes the Dutchman
Team principal Toto Wolff is in fact looking for every possible solution to secure the three-time world champion in the team already in 2025 as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who was also under contract with Ferrari for that season. But what would he think? George Russell to have the 26-year-old as a future teammate? In a meeting with the media on the eve of the Miami GP, the Briton was very clear on the issue: “I would agree – has explained – I think joining Mercedes in 2022 was a step back from Lewis’ legendary years and his victories, and that was a huge task for anyone to throw themselves into a team where he dominated for so long. I believe in myself, and you have to compete with the best in the same car and show what you have. I think Lewis has been an exceptional teammate over the last three years. He’s a great rider and we push each other every week, and I think it’s fair to say that. So, welcome Max, I want to compete with the best and demonstrate what I have. So, yes, let it happen.”
No doubt about Antonelli
Furthermore, another candidate who could take on the role of official driver in Mercedes would be the young man from Bologna Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Author of two private test sessions in Austria and Imola, respectively at the wheel of the 2021 W12 and the following year’s W13, the Prema Formula 2 driver made his debut aboard an F1 single-seater. If the Verstappen deal doesn’t materialize, could he be Russell’s new teammate? “I hear he’s doing a good job – continued the Englishman – obviously, when you drive alone, it is always difficult to have a reference. For him it’s just a matter of gaining the necessary experience. There is no doubt that sooner or later he will become a Mercedes driver, but time will tell. He is a great driver, he won everything in his youth career, so there is no reason not to see him in Formula 1“.
