The ‘horrible’ scenario that could see George Russell join Red Bull after 2025

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner decided to give Mercedes boss Toto Wolff a taste of his own medicine at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Wolff has not hidden his admiration for Max Verstappen despite the Red Bull driver being under contract until 2028.

Losing Lewis Hamilton is a huge blow to Mercedes and they eventually decided to replace him with teenage prodigy Kimi Antonelli.

However, was Toto Wolff’s top target and if the turmoil at Red Bull had reached a point where the Dutchman wanted to leave, Wolff would have found a seat for him next year.

So, during the Singapore Grand Prix, Christian Horner admitted that he wouldn’t be against signing George Russell.

Russell’s deal expires at the end of next year and with Red Bull in far from the greatest shape when it comes to their two driver line-ups on the grid, he could solve a problem for the Austrian outfit.

Speaking on the Nailing The Apex Podcast, journalist and paddock insider Tim Hauraney was speaking about the situation.

He explained the unlikely scenario that would need to take place for Russell to move to Red Bull in 2026.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

It would be another game-changing driver move in the paddock, especially if Max Verstappen ended up going the other way.

How George Russell could end up signing for Red Bull in 2026

Talking about Horner’s unexpected comments, Hauraney said: “Christian Horner also talking to Sky Sports about George Russell after 2026.

“Obviously, he’s winding Toto up, right? Like he does that. The same thing as Toto’s winding him up by saying he’s going to go after Max, which he probably will go after Max.

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

“But that’s how I see that all playing out, I don’t see George Russell being swayed to Red Bull.

“Not unless he has a horrible season and Toto doesn’t want to keep him.”

George Russell is at the top of Red Bull’s list to replace Max Verstappen

Red Bull are in a spot of bother and a decision on Daniel Ricciardo’s future looks set to be made before the United States Grand Prix.

While that only impacts the RB team immediately, Ricciardo was supposed to be Red Bull’s backup plan if Sergio Perez underperformed but the Australian hasn’t been up to the required standard to replace Perez despite his struggles this year.

Verstappen’s long-term Formula 1 future has been called into question also and although his recent row with the FIA over swearing in a press conference is unlikely to prompt him to walk away from the sport, he’s never shown any signs of wanting to spend as much on the grid as Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton.

Russell is said to be at the top of Red Bull’s list to replace Verstappen should he either walk away or decide to pursue a different project on the grid.

Aston Martin are said to be keen on Verstappen and hiring Adrian Newey alongside securing Honda power units from 2026 will help their cause in negotiations.

Red Bull will know how important the final six races of this season are given how much ground they’ve lost to the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes.

But if they don’t make the right decisions in the medium term, then their future prospects suddenly begin to look bleaker.