F1’s newest team Cadillac have been told to do everything they can to sign Mercedes driver George Russell in time for 2026.
Russell, 27, has taken Lewis Hamilton’s role as the Silver Arrows’ No. 1 driver after the seven-time world champion departed the Brackley side to fulfil a childhood dream of driving for Ferrari. Yet, while he appears to have been given a show of faith by Toto Wolff, many F1 pundits have not forgotten the warning Nico Rosberg sent to the Brit towards the end of the last campaign.
After Russell rebutted the quality of his car in a similar fashion to Hamilton, Rosberg claimed the King’s Lynn native should watch his tone as his future at Mercedes is not safe, with his deal expiring at the end of the 2025 campaign. Hamilton’s exit prompted numerous rumours that Wolff will make a move for Max Verstappen, who has had his own gripes with Red Bull, despite winning the last four world championships in a row.
Problems with their own car almost saw Verstappen lose his lead in the second half of last season, while his father Jos has also had his own issues with the team. With the Verstappen rumours not going away, despite both he and Wolff claiming no such moves were made, Dutch F1 pundit Jack Plooij believes Cadillac may try to bring Russell over.
With Colton Herta widely tipped to take one of the incoming American team’s seats, Plooij told Ziggo Sport: “Who do you put next to him? George Russell in 2026? He has to get out, because Max has to get in. I’d throw everything at Russell.”
Cadillac will become the 11th F1 team next year and are already laying strong foundations. They have brought experienced businessman Graeme Lowdon in as team principal, legendary racing driver Mario Andretti as director and ex-Haas figure Peter Crolla as new F1 race team manager.
IndyCar driver Herta is expected to be the first driver, as several reports have claimed he has already been offered a huge F1 contract for 2026. Meanwhile, Russell remained at Mercedes this year with 18-year-old Italian prospect Kimi Antonelli being promoted as his partner.
Ahead of this weekend’s season opener, the Australian GP, many will remember Rosberg’s warning to the Brit. In September, Rosberg told Sky Sports: “George Russell is not safe at all because Toto still wants Max and he will try again for 2026.
“‘Give up’ does not appear in Toto’s vocabulary. So if Max does become available and I do think it’s a possibility, then it is a shootout between George and Kimi next year. And it’s a lot of pressure on George because he has everything to lose.”
Guenther Steiner also echoed Rosberg’s thoughts in September, saying: “The car is what it is. It’s not the best car, it’s the fourth best car at the moment on a good day. I think Lewis knowing that he’s leaving anyway, it’s easier to complain.
“George has got all the interest to do whatever to show that he’s the leader of the team for the future. He has to prove that, because he knows that when his Mercedes contract is up, his seat is not 100 per cent safe so he just tries to do his best, puts everything into it.”
Russell’s deal with Mercedes will be up at the end of the year. While Verstappen’s deal with Red Bull is set to expire in 2028, there have been reports claiming that there is a clause in his deal allowing him to depart before its expiration, should he choose to. In an interview with Sky Italy last September, he refused to confirm nor deny the clause in his deal, but insisted he was “relaxed” about his future and that he will continue to drive for Red Bull for “as long as I enjoy it”.
In January, when asked by German outlet Auto Motor und Sport, via PlanetF1, Wolff said “there was never a plan” to bring Verstappen to Mercedes before insisting the Dutchman himself wished to remain at Red Bull. But the twists and turns of the 2025 campaign will surely dictate whether the Mercedes chief decides to explore a move for Verstappen.
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