George Russell could now replace ‘unbelievable’ F1 driver if Mercedes sign Red Bull’s Max Verstappen

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George Russell has shown Mercedes that he can be their team leader, yet the Briton is waiting to get a new contract as Toto Wolff tries to sign Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.

The Briton took over the reins in Brackley this season after Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. But even though Russell has scored 147 of the Silver Arrows’ 210 points so far this term, the 27-year-old still faces an uncertain future as his contract is set to expire at the end of 2025.

Mercedes are biding their time to sort a new deal for Russell, as well as his rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli who replaced Hamilton on a one-year contract, as Wolff waits to learn if Verstappen can leave Red Bull after the 2025 season and he also wants to change teams.

While the Dutchman is tied down in Milton Keynes through 2028, Verstappen’s £47m-a-year Red Bull contract includes release clauses. One clause will allow the 27-year-old to quit Red Bull if he falls outside of the top three in the 2025 F1 drivers’ championship by this summer.

Alpine could rival Red Bull and Cadillac to sign George Russell if Mercedes release him

Russell would need to outscore Verstappen by at least 19 points over the Belgian Grand Prix, where there will also be a Sprint, and Hungarian GP for the four-time champion’s exit clause to become available. Charles Leclerc is 46 points adrift with 58 available before the summer.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

Replacing Verstappen at Red Bull in a direct swap is one conceivable option if Mercedes opt against offering Russell a new contract and sign the Dutchman to take his place. But Mundo Deportivo now reports that Alpine are interested in offering Russell a spot on F1’s 2026 grid.

Question marks linger over Red Bull’s engine for the 2026 F1 regulations, for which they are building their own power unit for the first time in partnership with Ford. So, if Russell elects to accept a longer-term project rather than joining Red Bull, Alpine could be his best option.

Alpine are open to replacing Franco Colapinto with Russell as the Enstone squad appreciate the Briton’s speed and leadership skills. But they could face competition from Cadillac, who are monitoring Russell’s situation at Mercedes ahead of the team’s debut on the 2026 grid.

Alpine, Cadillac and Red Bull are considered Russell’s most likely options to stay on the grid if Mercedes drop him. Aston Martin previously expressed an interest in signing Russell, but they are now expected to honour the contracts that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll hold.

George Russell could reject a move to Alpine due to sacked Red Bull boss Christian Horner

Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore may put a hurdle in the way of the team’s interest in signing Mercedes star Russell to replace Colapinto for the 2026 F1 season, though. Christian Horner joining Alpine is gaining traction as he looks to return after being sacked by Red Bull.

Briatore appointing the Briton to a role at Alpine might prove problematic, as Horner was a hurdle in Red Bull’s way to replace Verstappen with Russell if they require a new driver next term. Russell would be the biggest name on the F1 driver market if Mercedes do let him go.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine 2025 F1 driver Franco Colapinto? Everything you need to know

Alpine will no doubt want to understand if Russell is at least open to a move to Enstone for 2026 with Colapinto continuing to struggle to justify his promotion to replace Jack Doohan. The 22-year-old is still yet to secure a single point after six rounds ahead of the Belgian GP.

Verstappen found Colapinto’s ignorance of the blue flags in Spain ‘unbelievable’, as well, as the Argentine even frustrated the Dutchman again after also sparking his fury at Imola and in Monaco. Even Briatore admitted that he was ‘not happy at all’ with Colapinto’s form in Spain.