Red Bull Racing has reportedly begun exploring the possibility of replacing Max Verstappen — and the Dutch driver isn’t hiding his surprise.
According to The Race, team principal Christian Horner has held “informal chats” with none other than Mercedes driver George Russell, sparking intense speculation that Red Bull may be preparing for a future without their four-time Formula 1 world champion.
Verstappen, who is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, has seen his future thrown into uncertainty after a rocky start to the 2025 season. Despite clinching a single victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull’s overall performance has faltered, and rumors of a performance clause in his contract have only intensified talk of a potential departure.
Speaking to reporters following the reports, Verstappen appeared blindsided.
“I’ve been loyal to Red Bull for so many years. To hear that they’ve spoken to another driver, especially someone like George… honestly, I couldn’t believe it,” Verstappen said.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but I always believed we’d work through things together. I didn’t expect these kinds of talks to be happening behind the scenes — it’s disappointing, if true.”
The news comes as Red Bull reportedly engaged in discussions with George Russell, who won the Las Vegas and Austrian Grands Prix last season. Though the talks have not reached formal negotiations, the implication is clear: Red Bull may be preparing for a scenario where their star driver exits — possibly for Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, or even a temporary break from the sport.
Verstappen continued:
“It makes you question things. If a team is already speaking to someone else while you’re still under contract and trying to give your best, it hurts,” he admitted.
“I’m focused on racing, on winning, but of course you think about the long-term. You think about loyalty, trust, and what the next step might be if that trust breaks.”
Christian Horner has downplayed the speculation, labeling much of the media buzz as “noise.”
“Inside of the team, Max reaffirmed his commitment yesterday,” Horner said ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “We’re focused on making the car go faster, and Max is a committed part of that. The rest is all speculation and hearsay.”
Still, whispers of Verstappen’s potential move away — and the very real possibility of Russell stepping into his seat — have sent shockwaves through the paddock.
When asked directly about Russell possibly replacing him, Verstappen responded:
“He’s a talented driver, no doubt. But if Red Bull is already planning for life without me, maybe it’s time I start planning for life beyond Red Bull.”
As the tension builds ahead of the next race, all eyes will be on both Verstappen and Red Bull to see whether this rift can be mended — or if F1 is on the verge of one of its biggest team shake-ups in recent history.
