If the 2024 season was anything to go by, the driver market in F1 can be quite active when one driver makes a move.
Lewis Hamilton kickstarted everything when he chose to leave Mercedes for Ferrari, thereby leaving Carlos Sainz on the market earlier than he planned.
Many of the moves that were made after Sainz and Hamilton were done with the view of the impending F1 regulation changes in 2026, when F1 will adopt new chassis designs and power units.
The majority of the grid is currently under contract for the 2026 season and beyond, but there are a few drivers who are out of contract and one that could make a big difference in the driver market according to journalist Jonathan Noble speaking on The Race podcast.
George Russell key to the 2026 F1 driver market
George Russell’s £12m-a-year contract with Mercedes will be up for renewal at the end of the 2025 season and while he has enjoyed great success with the team so far, it might not be as straightforward as it seems.
“Russell is out of contract and he could become the centre point of the driver market because he’s a race winner, very quick, available, and if someone commits early and goes for him, they could probably get him,” said Noble.
“It’s quite a good situation in terms of bigging up his own money if Toto wants to do his deal, seeing what else is around, and being used.
“If Liam Lawson isn’t performing and they need someone stronger, knowing Russell is available you just commit and go for Russell because a) that would annoy Toto massively, and I think Christian Horner would want that, and b) you get a confirmed race winner in the car.”
Could George Russell join another team on the F1 grid?
Christian Horner has previously admitted that he would not be against Russell joining Red Bull, given the team is uncertain about the future of Max Verstappen.
Verstappen and Russell are unlikely to be partners in the same team, largely due to their spat towards the end of the 2024 season in which the Dutchman accused the Mercedes driver of intentionally lying to the stewards to get him a penalty.
One scenario could see Verstappen and Russell doing a swap, with the Dutchman finally working with Toto Wolff having snubbed him when racing in junior formulas for Red Bull.
READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height
Verstappen is also rumoured to be tempting a move to Aston Martin, although Horner has assured media that he will stay put at Red Bull as long as they keep making a car capable of winning.
Russell could be tempted away from Mercedes if they have a lacklustre season and he does not have confidence in their plans for 2026. Expect the cogs for the driver market to be in motion earlier than previously thought this season.
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