F1 News
Will Verstappen want to go to Mercedes? 'Then Russell's job in danger'
- Ludo van Denderen
After months of speculation, it is slowly becoming clear which drivers will fill the seats at the top teams in '25. For example, Andrea Kimi Antonelli will almost certainly replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. Ralf Schumacher understands team principal Toto Wolff's decision to give the young Italian (17) a chance. Should Max Verstappen still decide to leave Red Bull, the German believes there is also a place for him at Mercedes. In that case, who should leave? Probably George Russell, it expects Ralf.
In Formula 2, Kimi Antonelli has not made much of a mark this season, but Mercedes are convinced that the Italian - who turns 18 in August - is the right man to make his debut in Formula 1 in '25. It is likely that Kimi Antonelli is still a diamond in the making, who may not compete for wins straight away and will regularly make his mistake. But that is probably factored in by Mercedes.
In fact, Ralf Schumacher suspects that this Antonelli and Mercedes could not enter into their partnership at a better time. " This is the ideal time for Antonelli to gain experience," the analyst told Sky Sports Germany. "Should Max Verstappen actually decide to leave Red Bull, I can imagine Mercedes having a seat available for him."
Schumacher sees Russell making 'too many mistakes'
According to Schumacher, it is then not Antonelli who becomes the child of the bill, but Hamilton's current teammate. "This scenario could be bad for George Russell. He is or was a super talent, but makes too many mistakes. If there is a world champion on the market, I can imagine that George Russell's job will also be in jeopardy," Schumacher concluded.