Max Verstappen is considering retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the season because he is not enjoying racing the new generation of cars under the 2026 regulations. Verstappen admitted at the Japanese Grand Prix that he is thinking about his future in F1. He has been a vocal critic of the 2026 regulations that stipulate a 50-50 split between electric and internal combustion engines. However, according to www.sportbible.com, Verstappen described it as always quite clear that he was staying anyway after committing to remain at Red Bull, creating uncertainty about his immediate plans.
Verstappen is demanding improvements from his team, especially from chief designer Pierre Wache, and from F1 management and the FIA to curb excesses in the rules. He is willing to see how the 2026 season plays out before making a decision on his future. For now, informed contacts said Verstappen is not contemplating leaving Red Bull and will stay for the remainder of the year and possibly beyond, wanting to remain loyal to the team.
George Russell could remain at Mercedes until 2037.
Red Bull has experienced a swathe of high-profile departures in the last two years, including Adrian Newey, Christian Horner, Jonathan Wheatley, and others. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has been bullish in public about Verstappen's situation. Mekies said Red Bull had a challenging start to the 2026 season due to a last-minute decision on car development that disrupted winter preparations.
Verstappen accumulated just 12 points from the first three races of the 2026 season, a poor start that contrasts with his previous dominance.
George Russell's position at Mercedes is 'always temporary'.
Gianpiero Lambiase has been offered a fortune to join McLaren, according to a source. Verstappen is supportive of Lambiase's decision to leave Red Bull for McLaren. Lambiase will report directly to McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.
McLaren has poached other key staff from Red Bull in recent years, including Rob Marshall and Will Courtenay. McLaren mentioned Marshall and Courtenay in their announcement about signing Lambiase, boasting about poaching talent from Red Bull. Reports suggest Lambiase may have been signed as an eventual replacement for Stella, but this is believed to be wide of the mark.
Kimi Antonelli is Toto Wolff's protege, and Wolff has put his reputation on the line to get him in.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff dismissed speculation linking Verstappen to Mercedes, stating there are no current discussions and he is happy with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. George Russell signed a new contract with Mercedes last October that runs through 2026 with performance-based clauses for extension. Kimi Antonelli is Toto Wolff's protege, and Wolff has put his reputation on the line to get him in.
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Verstappen will leave Red Bull for Mercedes and that talks have already started. Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert heard rumors that Verstappen might join Mercedes, which could lead to George Russell being let go.
Toto Wolff is delighted that Antonelli has now won a race.
George Russell leads the Drivers' Standings after the first two races of the 2026 season with 51 points. Russell won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Kimi Antonelli, before the result was reversed in China as Antonelli converted pole position into a race victory. Russell also secured victory in the China sprint race, with his team-mate down in fifth, meaning the Brit takes a four-point lead into the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka this weekend.
It remains uncertain as to what the arrangement is beyond then, and whether Mercedes or Russell have an option to extend further. According to Daily Express - Sport, Damon Hill described Russell's position at Mercedes as always temporary and said he could still be replaced even if he wins the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship.
George Russell has been trying his very best to impress for Mercedes for many seasons.
Ahead of the 2024 campaign, Lewis Hamilton shocked the paddock by announcing that he would be leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari for 2025. The timing of Hamilton's announcement came as a surprise, given he still had 24 races to complete with Mercedes. Following Hamilton's exit and the arrival of Kimi Antonelli, Russell has become the leader of the Brackley-based team.
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has claimed that Mercedes showed favoritism to George Russell over Lewis Hamilton last season. According to racingnews365.com, Johnny Herbert described this favoritism, adding that Russell already took on the leader duty last year alongside Hamilton and was given preferential treatment by Mercedes. Hamilton scored less points than Russell and suffered further defeats in his intra-team qualifying and race battles against Russell.
Last season, Russell had to re-sign, and the negotiations went on a bit, with it not seeming like Toto Wolff was desperate to re-sign him, resembling a Mexican stand-off.
Hamilton's final season with Mercedes was a difficult one, despite victories in the British and Belgian grands prix.
According to www.sportbible.com, Damon Hill described Toto Wolff as delighted that Antonelli has now won a race. Hill also said Russell has been trying his very best to impress for Mercedes for many seasons. Hill was speaking from personal experience, having been dropped by Williams in favour of Jacques Villeneuve after winning the title in 1996. According to www.sportbible.com, Hill described last season's negotiations with Russell as resembling a Mexican stand-off, with it not seeming like Wolff was desperate to re-sign him.
Mercedes 'wanted to take our time, handle the negotiations properly and make sure everyone, on all sides, was happy'.
Swiss outlet Blick claims that, while Russell's deal is only a 1+1 arrangement, Antonelli instead has a contract until 2029.
Max Verstappen has nothing left to prove in F1 as a four-time world champion and has interests outside the sport like GT racing and family.
Mercedes showed 'favouritism' to George Russell over Lewis Hamilton last season.
Kimi Antonelli comes along and a lot of people are really excited to see what he will be able to do in the car, but he's still got to prove it.
It's going to be interesting how Antonelli deals with a very confident George who cemented himself in the fabric of what Mercedes are.