Chandhok "wouldn't be concerned yet" if he was Russell hearing the Verstappen to Mercedes rumours

08:00, 17 Apr

byOlly Darcy

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok "would not be concerned yet" if he were George Russell with the rumours about Max Verstappen and Mercedes heating up.

The Brit has made an extremely strong start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, taking three podiums out of four Grands Prix to far to put him on 63 points, just six points behind the Dutchman.

Russell's fine drive at the Bahrain Grand Prix saw him close the gap on Verstappen, nursing his Mercedes that had electronic and gear issues to a fine P2 ahead of Lando Norris, while Verstappen struggled severely with brake issues to limp home in P6, resulting in a crisis meeting for the Red Bull.

There is such displeasure with Red Bull's issues at the moment from Verstappen that have resulted in the rumour mill spinning once again with links to the Dutchman joining with Toto Wolff and Mercedes.

Chandhok tells Russell not to worry

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 website, the potential lineup of Verstappen and Russell at Mercedes is something Chandhok is extremely excited by.

"I think Red Bull have created a situation, perhaps, where Max has got a say on who is in the other car. Whereas at Mercedes, he may not have a say," the Indian explained.

"If you were Toto, and you had the option of George and Max, that's an unbelievably strong line-up. Those are two drivers who have been consistently performing at the highest level for six months."

Russell's contract is up with Mercedes come the end of the 2025 season, but Chandhok believes there is no cause for concern about that just yet.

"I wouldn't be concerned yet. I think if it gets to the British Grand Prix in the first week of July and there's still no deal, that's a different conversation.

"I wouldn't yet be worried if I were George, because at the end of the day, if you keep delivering and doing the job on track and being the team leader, they can't ignore it," concluded the 41-year-old.