Mercedes told they must fire George Russell and sign Max Verstappen

Former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley has ignited debate by declaring he would “100 %” replace George Russell with Max Verstappen should the triple world champion choose to quit Red Bull.



Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Smedley argued that Verstappen’s ability to “drive over and above what the car can actually deliver” makes him a must-sign for any top team.



Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has pursued the Dutchman in the past and remains linked to a future move, especially after promoting rookie Kimi Antonelli to partner Lewis Hamilton’s vacated seat.



Contract Dynamics



Russell’s current deal expires at season’s end, creating a natural decision point if Verstappen exercises performance clauses in his Red Bull agreement for 2026.







Antonelli, long billed as Wolff’s protégé, secured a multi-year contract when he stepped up this season, leaving the Briton more vulnerable in any reshuffle.



Smedley’s Rationale



“Would I want Max Verstappen in my car over anybody else on the grid right now? Yeah, 100 % I would. No doubt,” Smedley said.



He described the Dutchman as “one of those very, very special drivers” whose presence nudges an entire organisation to “do 101 % every single day.”



Impact on Russell



Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 and claimed the team’s lone victory that year, but his results since have fluctuated as the squad wrestled with ground-effect aerodynamics.



Analysts note that Antonelli’s promotion has already tightened internal competition; the prospect of Verstappen arriving would raise the bar even further.



Sky Sports pundit Karun Chandhok suggested Russell must “re-establish clear number-one status” this season to secure his future.



Verstappen’s Options



While the Dutchman insists he is “happy at Red Bull,” political turmoil surrounding the Milton Keynes outfit has fuelled exit speculation.



Aston Martin and Audi have reportedly tabled their own interest, but Mercedes offers proven championship infrastructure and, crucially, works-engine status from 2026.



Wider Market Ripple



If Verstappen did jump, the domino effect could trigger seats for rising stars like Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Liam Lawson, or even Lando Norris in alternative scenarios.



Teams traditionally finalise 2026 driver pairings by mid-2025 to align with new chassis and power-unit regulations, making the upcoming contract window pivotal.



Wolff’s Balancing Act



Wolff has praised Russell’s feedback and leadership yet repeatedly stated that Mercedes will “always keep an eye on the best talent.”



The Austrian must weigh continuity against the transformative potential that Smedley and others ascribe to Verstappen.



Countdown to Decisions



Both Russell and Verstappen have dodged long-term questions in the run-up to Imola, insisting focus remains on the current title fight.



Behind the scenes, advisers are expected to accelerate talks once the European season settles into its rhythm.
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