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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is almost certain to try to sign Max Verstappen for the 2027 F1 season, yet George Russell could scupper any bid to land the unhappy Red Bull ace.
Verstappen left a huge shadow over his future at Red Bull across the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka last weekend, as his frustrations with the 2026 F1 regulations have appeared to near the point of no return. The Dutchman openly admitted that he has to consider staying in F1.
Speaking after qualifying, during which he was eliminated in Q2, Verstappen claimed he has to “figure out” his future in F1. The 28-year-old feels Formula 1 is “not fun” for him with this year’s new engines that nearly have a 50/50 split between electrical and combustion power.
Four-time F1 champion Verstappen doubled down on his threats to retire from F1 after the Japanese GP, as well, after finishing the race in P8 after failing to overtake Alpine ace Pierre Gasly. On top of his issues with the rules, Verstappen found the Red Bull RB22 undriveable.
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Max Verstappen would be reluctant to be George Russell’s Mercedes teammate in 2027
Verstappen is seriously considering retiring from F1 this year, as he can break out of his Red Bull contract through 2028. The Dutchman’s terms include a release clause that will let him quit the team if he is outside the top two in the F1 drivers’ standings by the summer break.
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It is understood that Verstappen will have from August to October to use his release clause, which is very likely to be available to him based on Red Bull’s difficult start to 2026. And The Telegraph notes that Mercedes team boss Wolff is ‘almost certain’ to try to sign Verstappen.
Wolff admitted that he spoke with Verstappen’s manager in 2025, but the Red Bull racer did not meet the conditions for his release clause at the time by hitting the summer break third in the standings. Now, the issue could be the Mercedes driver whom Verstappen would join.
Russell has a performance-based clause in his contract for 2026, which may depend on him winning the 2026 title, that would see him stay for 2027. Russell staying could also rule out a move by Mercedes for Verstappen, as he would be ‘far more reticent’ to partner the Briton.
Verstappen would reconsider a move to Mercedes if he were to then be Russell’s teammate for personal and professional reasons, as the pair have a fractious history and the Briton has been in the team since 2022. Verstappen would much rather partner Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
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Red Bull racer Verstappen’s reluctance to be Russell’s teammate in 2027 could prove to be a major problem for Mercedes in Wolff’s efforts to land the 71-time career Grand Prix winner. Especially as it has recently emerged that Antonelli’s Mercedes contract runs through 2029.
Mercedes might not know whether they have to retain Russell until after Verstappen passes his October deadline to decide whether or not he wants to leave Red Bull. Likewise, the idea of not knowing who he would partner at Mercedes by the deadline may put Verstappen off.
Verstappen and Russell’s fractious relationship ignited at the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix after the former took issue with the latter over his one-place grid penalty. Russell claimed Verstappen threatened to put him in the wall at the 2024 Qatar GP after how he spoke to the stewards.
The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix also saw another key flash point in their fractious relationship. Verstappen drew a 10s penalty for crashing into Russell in Barcelona last year, as he seemed to intentionally drive into the Briton when Red Bull told him to give a place back to his rival.
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