Christian Horner is now spreading a ‘nonsense’ rumour about George Russell to aggravate Toto Wolff

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George Russell is quickly emerging as the hottest free agent on the driver market in 2025. The Brit is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old secured his first win of the year in Canada as he sits fourth in the standings. Given his performances, it is perhaps strange that Mercedes have not tied him, or teammate Kimi Antonelli, down to a new contract.

Russell’s deal expires in 2025, with no current news as to when, or whether he will receive a new contract. It is believed that the Brit intends to stay with the Silver Arrows, but he is not shy of potential suitors if he becomes available on the F1 driver market.

McLaren have identified Russell as a candidate to replace either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri if they leave the team. That does not seem likely to happen anytime soon, but Mercedes are facing serious competition.

Christian Horner has held informal chats with Russell, with Red Bull having a seat available next to Max Verstappen in 2026. But the team principal is also potentially preparing for the Dutchman’s departure, with Mercedes and Aston Martin holding an interest in the four-time champion.

Verstappen will ‘definitely’ not drive for Aston Martin in 2026, but the Silverstone outfit seem keen on recruiting a star driver. Russell has been linked with Aston Martin amid his uncertainty at Mercedes, but that rumour may not have as much truth to it as some may think.

George Russell to Aston Martin rumour is ‘nonsense’ spread by Christian Horner to aggravate Toto Wolff

Journalist Stuart Codling has branded Russell’s links to Aston Martin as ‘nonsense’. Speaking via the Autosport YouTube channel, he revealed that the rumours are being put out there by Horner to cause ‘aggro’ for Toto Wolff.

“Some of the gossip around this has been quite intriguing, because essentially, it turns out that the main person hawking around this story that Aston have made a play for George Russell is Christian Horner,” he said.

“The main reading of it is that it’s actually just nonsense put about by Horner to cause Toto Wolff a small amount of aggro.

“So yeah, I think we can file that in the round filing cabinet, I’m sure nothing will come of it.

“We can clip this and we can put it about on social media when I’m proved wrong and next week with the grand move of George Russell to Aston Martin is announced.

“But yeah, at the moment, my understanding is that it is sort of nonsense being put around by Christian Horner just out of mischief because he’s got enough on his plate and he wants to direct a bit of heat other people’s way.”

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Christian Horner’s antics with George Russell rumours proves Mercedes and Red Bull’s feud has reignited

Horner has not shied away from wanting to antagonise his rivals and stir the pot in an attempt to gain an advantage. This is certainly nothing new when it comes to Mercedes, with his and Toto Wolff’s rivalry going back to the infamous 2021 season.

The team’s conflict reignited in Montreal as Red Bull protested to the FIA, accusing Russell of excessively braking under the safety car, which saw Verstappen briefly overtake him. It was thrown out five hours after the race, with Mercedes keeping their win.

Red Bull warned the FIA about teams trying to get Verstappen penalised, as he is one penalty point away from a race ban. But Mercedes’ evidence left Horner red-faced in Canada as Verstappen’s data showed he was also braking excessively under the safety car.

Wolff was furious with Red Bull’s protest, and he no doubt will not be impressed by the rumours swirling around Russell that Horner has created. This feud can be expected to continue in the many races to come.