Formula 1 News: Mercedes boss furious at Red Bull’s Russell interest

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has unleashed a verbal barrage on Red Bull’s Christian Horner for his recent George Russell remarks.

“We have got a gap now but we just want to take time to consider what those options look like for the future,” Horner told reporters in Singapore.

“We’re not afraid to go out of the pool. George Russell is out of contract at the end of next year and it would be foolish for us not to take it into consideration,” the 50-year-old continued.

Wolff, who has long had a contentious relationship with Horner, has fired back at Red Bull’s comments, accusing his rival team principal of stirring up trouble. The pair have been engaged in a bitter rivalry for years, and this latest exchange is sure to add fuel to the fire.

“I think he [Horner] is always stirring s*** up, it is part of the game,” Wolff said.

As Russell enters his third year behind the wheel of a Mercedes, his championship dreams are facing a stern test. The Silver Arrows, once the undisputed kings of Formula 1, have been grappling with a slump in recent seasons, and Russell’s ambition to stand atop the podium is being put to the ultimate test.

Mercedes has a storied F1 history, but recent years have been difficult for the German giants. In 2022, they managed to win only one Grand Prix, thanks to Russell. Last year turned out to be even worse as they finished 2023 without a single Grand Prix victory under their belt.

For this reason, sportsbooks don’t consider Mercedes a top-two favorite ahead of any GP event nowadays. The odds for them winning are understandably longer than the likes of McLaren and Ferrari.

Even when Mercedes announced that it had surprise upgrades planned for the Canadian Grand Prix, bookmakers still did not rate any of their drivers as serious title contenders. Bet365, the host nation’s leading betting site – popular because of the speed and convenience of bet365 withdrawals in Canada – only listed them as fifth favorite ahead of the event.

Mercedes, however, defied expectations with two top five spots. Russell claimed third place, while Hamilton finished fourth. The manufacturer continued to push its competitors in F1, but a first place finish this year has still remained out of their reach.

Russell put on a defensive masterclass in the closing stages of the Singapore Grand Prix, fending off a determined Charles Leclerc to secure fourth place. He could not attend the press conference afterward after suffering a “borderline heatstroke”, but his impressive performance has not gone unnoticed by the Red Bull camp, who are reportedly considering him as a potential addition to their driver lineup.

Mercedes is facing an uphill battle in their bid to secure Max Verstappen as their top driver. With the team struggling to match the pace of their rivals, there has been growing speculation that Sergio Perez’s seat could be in jeopardy.

Russell’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the 2025 season. Given his undeniable talent and impressive performances, Horner has suggested that Red Bull would be foolish to overlook him as a potential future driver. With the possibility of a contract standoff looming, Russell’s future in Formula 1 remains a subject of intense speculation.

The Mercedes team principal made it clear that his team is not willing to let go of Russell anytime soon. The British driver has been at Mercedes since 2022, and the team wants to keep him far beyond 2025.

Russell is poised to take on the lead driver role at Mercedes next season. With Lewis Hamilton’s recent announcement that he will be joining Ferrari on a two-year deal, Russell will have the opportunity to step into the spotlight and showcase his full potential.

Despite Mercedes’ struggles at the beginning of the new regulations, Wolff remains unwavering in his support for Russell.

The young Brit’s arrival at the team coincided with a difficult period for the Silver Arrows, but Wolff believes that Russell has the potential to grow into the role of team leader as Hamilton departs. With Russell at the helm, there is no immediate need for Mercedes to panic and seek out an established leading driver to replace the seven-time World Champion.

Although Russell has shown promising form and held his own against Hamilton during their time together, he has yet to truly establish himself as a consistent front-runner or championship contender. Despite his impressive performances, Russell’s winning tally of just two Grand Prix victories remains relatively modest.

Mercedes, currently trailing Ferrari in the Constructors Championship with just six races remaining, are facing a daunting task to close the gap. The Silver Arrows, currently fourth in the Constructors Championship standings, will be looking to capitalize on any opportunities to score points and climb the standings.

Meanwhile, the team has announced that 18-year-old sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli will replace Lewis Hamilton as Russell’s teammate next season, marking a new era for Mercedes.