Martin Brundle has spotted something ‘highly unusual’ about Max Verstappen to Mercedes rumours

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Max Verstappen has spent the past 11 Formula 1 seasons racing for only two teams.

After just one full campaign with Toro Rosso, Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull Racing, and the rest is history.

After winning on his debut for Christian Horner’s team, Verstappen has gone on to win four drivers’ championships.

However, Red Bull’s dominance over the rest of the field has started to slip, leading to Verstappen being linked with Mercedes.

Mercedes haven’t won a championship since 2020 with Lewis Hamilton, but with a new set of F1 regulations on the horizon, the Silver Arrows might be Verstappen’s best bet to return to the top of the sport.

Martin Brundle has had his say on the rumours that have emerged in the build-up to the British Grand Prix.

He’s spotted something ‘unusual’ about the talk surrounding the move that involves current Mercedes driver George Russell.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Martin Brundle spots ‘highly unusual’ Mercedes decision over George Russell’s future amid Max Verstappen interest

Brundle was being interviewed by Sky Sports F1 during the McLaren fan event being held in Trafalgar Square.

Asked about the rumours, Brundle said: “What do we know that’s factual? Well, George Russell has not been announced for next year, and that’s highly unusual because he’s doing a brilliant job for Mercedes-Benz.

“He’s a long-standing Mercedes driver, he’s picked up the mantle beautifully after Lewis Hamilton’s exit.

“So, for him to be hanging there still without clarity as we head into the halfway point at the British Grand Prix is unusual.

“And nobody is absolutely, categorically denying that Max Verstappen is talking to Mercedes-Benz. That’s Mercedes or team Verstappen, so something’s up.”

Brundle was then asked about the prospect of Mercedes’ driver line-up if Verstappen does sign and continued: “Would they want to risk putting Antonelli, their future star, up against Max Verstappen?

“Max has broken a lot of teammates because of his speed. Would they want to lose George Russell, one of their own, whom they manage?

“Max comes with a little bit of baggage; he’s not got the easiest group to handle, and as I say, he’s broken his teammates.”

Journalist Craig Slater then questioned Brundle on whether it would be Russell that missed out, and he explained: “I think it would. I think Mercedes and Toto, in particular, are so invested in Kimi Antonelli as the future star, the teenager now that I would be, and I know that George has been making contact with other teams.

“I mean, Russell and Verstappen, what a line-up that would be, it would be an incredible line-up, a bit feisty from time to time.”

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

George Russell is not Toto Wolff’s preferred teammate for Max Verstappen at Mercedes

Toto Wolff has a huge decision to make very soon on his driver line-up if Verstappen has made himself available to the team.

It’s believed that Mercedes prefer retaining Antonelli over Russell, despite the British driver being in far better form this season.

It would be an incredibly harsh decision on Russell, but as Brundle alludes to, it’s very ‘unusual’ that Mercedes haven’t committed to their lead driver at this stage of the campaign, given how well he’s been driving.

Antonelli would suddenly be under more pressure to prove that Wolff has made the right decision in keeping him, and he would have to prove he’s at a high enough level to match the best current driver on the grid.

That’s a lot for a teenager to deal with, but Verstappen appears to already have a good relationship with Antonelli, as shown by the way he consoled him following their collision at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Aston Martin are keen on Russell and could provide him with the lifeline that keeps him on the grid.

Horner is ready to make Russell an offer if Verstappen moves on too, while Alpine and Cadillac could also have open seats available for the four-time race winner for 2026.