Claire Williams predicts which driver Max Verstappen would replace if he left Red Bull

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Max Verstappen has become the face of the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team in recent years, but he could exit the team at the end of the 2026 season.

During the first day of the Formula 1 Test at Bahrain, Max Verstappen drew all the attention as he topped the timesheets in his Red Bull in the morning session.

Notably, one of the figures inside the Formula 1 paddock that was openly impressed with Verstappen at Bahrain was Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff.

After seeing the RB22 in action at the Bahrain International Circuit, Wolff has stated that Red Bull has the fastest car on the grid at the early stages of the 2026 season.

The admiration from Wolff towards Verstappen has once again stirred up the potential of the Dutch driver joining Mercedes for the 2027 season.

Verstappen has exit clauses in his Red Bull contract that could lead to a potential exit, although everything hangs in the balance ahead of the new campaign starting.

Is Toto Wolff playing mind games with Red Bull?

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Claire Williams predicts Max Verstappen could replace George Russell at Mercedes

The current Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli re-signed with the team for the 2026 season, but their contracts also expire at the end of the year.

Mercedes has reportedly been interested in Verstappen for some time, and former deputy team principal of Williams, Claire Williams, believes the Dutchman would replace Russell if he did join the Silver Arrows.

When speaking to Business of Sport, Williams suggested the potential of Russell leaving Mercedes for McLaren if the Brackley-based team signs Verstappen for 2027.

Williams said, “Can you imagine Max and George in the same team? George would not hang around; it is George’s team, isn’t it?

“I think George would be great in a McLaren, Oscar and Lando are brilliant in the McLaren, but if there was a seat, I could see George as a real McLaren-esque driver. I don’t know why, I just do.”

When asked what she believes a ‘McLaren-esque driver’ is, she said, “A very cerebral, professional, buttoned-up, all-rounded, thoughtful, very British.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Mercedes face troubles during pre-season Bahrain Formula 1 test

Despite Red Bull topping the times on the opening day of the Bahrain test, Mercedes have faced obvious struggles.

On the opening day of the test, Antonelli suffered a suspension issue and completed only 30 laps around the Bahrain International Circuit. The issues continued for the Italian driver as he reportedly suffered a power unit issue during the morning session on day two.

At the start of Thursday morning, Antonelli was able to complete installation laps, but returned to the pits and was later seen out of the car and in the Mercedes garage.

Despite the suggestions that Verstappen may be tempted to Brackley by Wolff, if Red Bull continues to perform at a higher level than Mercedes during the 2026 season, the four-time champion may be convinced to stay put with the Milton Keynes-based team.

This would lead to Mercedes likely remaining with an unchanged driver line-up for the 2027 season, with Russell and Antonelli.