Red Bull eyes at George Russell as Christian Horner expresses interest

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has set his sights on Mercedes driver George Russell as a potential future star for the team. With Russell's contract with Mercedes nearing its end after the 2025 Formula 1 season, Horner hinted that Red Bull could make a move to secure the talented British driver.

At just 26 years old, Russell has already established himself as a strong competitor in Formula 1. After graduating from Williams to Mercedes, he has impressed many with his ability to hold his own alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. This season, Russell is seventh in the drivers' standings, with 143 points, highlighted by a win at the Austrian Grand Prix and podium finishes in Canada, Azerbaijan, and Spain.

Christian Horner, always on the lookout for top-tier talent, acknowledged that Russell’s contract status makes him an attractive option. Speaking ahead of the Singapore GP qualifying, Horner said, "We have got a gap now but we just want to take time to consider what those options look like for the future. We're not afraid to go out of the pool. George Russell is out of contract at the end of next year and it would be foolish for us not to take that into consideration."

Can Mercedes swap Russell with Verstappen?

Although Mercedes has announced that Russell will partner with Kimi Antonelli in 2025, following Hamilton's move to Ferrari, Red Bull's interest in Russell could set up a fierce battle for his services. With Max Verstappen dominating the sport and already eyeing his fourth consecutive title, Red Bull is focused on securing a strong lineup for the future.

Horner also mentioned the depth of Red Bull's junior program, which includes talents like Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, and Arvin Lindblad. However, he admitted that a proven driver like Russell would bring immediate value to the team. Despite Checo Pérez's contributions to Red Bull’s constructors' title in 2023, his underperformance this season has led Horner to consider future alternatives.

As Red Bull looks beyond 2025, Horner's comments suggest that George Russell could be a major player in the team’s long-term strategy. With Russell's contract situation and Red Bull’s interest in young drivers, the next few seasons could bring significant changes to the F1 driver market. Meanwhile, Mercedes is also eyeing Max Verstappen and it could be a win-win for both teams. But as F1 surprises nothing can be predicted.