Red Bull boss Christian Horner revealed ” It would be foolish” for not to consider to sign…read more.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has indicated a potential interest in signing Mercedes driver George Russell when his current contract with the Silver Arrows expires at the end of 2025. While Max Verstappen is securely under contract with Red Bull until 2028, there is growing uncertainty over the future of his teammate Sergio Perez, who has struggled with form in recent seasons. This has left questions about Red Bull’s driver line-up in the coming years, making Horner’s comments about Russell particularly significant.
In an interview, Horner suggested that Red Bull would be “foolish” not to consider Russell when his Mercedes contract comes to an end. This marks a notable shift in Red Bull’s stance, as they have traditionally focused on promoting talent from their own academy. However, given Russell’s undeniable talent and experience, Horner acknowledged that there could be an opportunity for Red Bull to bring in an established driver like Russell to strengthen their team in the near future.
Russell, who joined Mercedes in 2022, signed a contract extension in 2023 that will keep him with the team until the end of 2025. Initially signed as a future star to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Russell was expected to lead Mercedes into their next era of dominance. However, with Hamilton set to leave the team at the end of the year to join Ferrari, and Mercedes’ recent signing of rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the dynamic at Mercedes is rapidly evolving. Antonelli, a highly regarded teenage driver, has been lined up as Hamilton’s successor, raising questions about where Russell fits into the team’s long-term plans.
Complicating matters further is Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s reported interest in signing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, widely regarded as the best driver on the current grid. If Wolff succeeds in prying Verstappen away from Red Bull, it could create a power struggle within Mercedes, with Russell potentially feeling sidelined despite his status as one of the most talented young drivers in Formula 1.
Horner’s comments come at a time when Red Bull are closely evaluating their options for the future. While the team boasts a strong academy system with young talents waiting in the wings, such as Liam Lawson and Ayumu Iwasa, Red Bull might require a proven driver to partner Verstappen in the short term, especially if Perez’s performances continue to underwhelm.
The uncertainty surrounding Perez’s future has been a recurring issue throughout 2024. Despite winning races in previous seasons, Perez has struggled to match Verstappen’s pace consistently, leading to speculation that Red Bull may seek to replace him sooner rather than later. Although Red Bull’s preference has historically been to nurture talent from within, the chance to sign a driver of Russell’s caliber could be too good to pass up.
While Red Bull have several promising young drivers coming through the ranks, Horner has admitted that Russell is a driver they are monitoring closely. If Perez’s form continues to decline and Russell’s future at Mercedes becomes unclear, Red Bull may look to secure the Briton’s services once his contract with Mercedes expires in 2025.
