George Russell Suggests Ferrari Could Remorse Signing Lewis Hamilton Over Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton’s extremely anticipated swap to Ferrari for the 2025 System 1 season has to date did not ship the outcomes each he and the Scuderia hoped for — and former teammate George Russell believes the Italian workforce could have made the unsuitable name. Because the Briton continues to underperform within the scarlet purple, George Russell hinted that Ferrari would doubtless favor Max Verstappen alongside Charles Leclerc if given the selection.
Russell and Hamilton beforehand shared three seasons at Mercedes, from 2022 to 2024, following the youthful Briton’s promotion to the Silver Arrows to switch Valtteri Bottas. Throughout their time as teammates, Russell typically proved to be a formidable match. He outqualified Hamilton in 39 of their 68 races and beat him to the chequered flag in 30 of the 58 Grands Prix each completed. Their factors tally was additionally practically equivalent, with Hamilton scoring 697 to Russell’s 695.
Now established as Mercedes’ lead driver for the 2025 marketing campaign alongside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Russell is flourishing in his new function. In the meantime, Lewis Hamilton, now 40, has discovered it troublesome to settle into life at Ferrari. After eight rounds of the season, the seven-time world champion has but to face on the rostrum, along with his greatest end being a fourth place at Imola.
Charles Leclerc, in contrast, has been persistently forward of his Maranello teammate in qualifying and on race day, successful their head-to-head battles 7–1 in each classes. Ferrari’s inner expectations for Hamilton seem to have been larger, and experiences recommend there’s rising disappointment inside Maranello concerning his efficiency.
George Russell weighed in on the matter throughout a dialogue with Mundo Deportivo, suggesting that Ferrari — and certainly any high workforce — would select Max Verstappen over Lewis Hamilton in a heartbeat if the reigning world champion had been out there. He made it clear that he noticed nothing disrespectful in workforce bosses like Toto Wolff expressing curiosity within the four-time System 1 world champion, stating that if he had been in Wolff’s place and had the chance to decide on any driver on the grid, Verstappen could be on the high of the listing alongside himself.
The Mercedes man added that Ferrari, in his opinion, would additionally favor to pair Max Verstappen with Charles Leclerc if given the possibility. George Russell famous that even McLaren would face a troublesome dilemma if they’d the possibility to signal the Dutchman, doubtless having to decide on between dropping Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri — a call no workforce would take flippantly. In his view, Max Verstappen could be the primary selection for each workforce on the grid heading into the 2026 F1 season.
Max Verstappen Anticipated to Keep at Pink Bull Regardless of Contract Exit Clause
Though Max Verstappen’s contract with Pink Bull runs by way of 2028, it comprises an exit clause that might enable him to depart after the 2025 season if he falls exterior the highest three within the drivers’ standings. Nevertheless, all indicators at present level to the Dutchman remaining with the Milton Keynes squad, no matter whether or not the clause turns into lively.
Rumours linking the Dutchman with Aston Martin have cooled, partially as a result of issues over how influential Adrian Newey will probably be within the workforce’s 2026 automobile improvement beneath the brand new System 1 laws. Whereas Aston Martin continues to construct its long-term undertaking, Max Verstappen seems unconvinced that their bundle will probably be robust sufficient to tempt him away from Pink Bull.
In the meantime, George Russell is anticipated to signal a brand new contract with Mercedes price a reported £46 million over two years. His present deal expires on the finish of the 2025 season, however his robust performances — together with 4 podium finishes and a runner-up end in Bahrain — have all however secured his future with the Silver Arrows. Although the settlement has not but been formally introduced, it’s understood to be within the closing phases.
Jun 1, 2025
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