Former Ferrari engineer would “100%” replace George Russell with Max Verstappen

Former Ferrari Formula 1 engineer Rob Smedley has revealed that he would “100%” replace George Russell with Max Verstappen at Mercedes. 

Rumours have been circulating for some time now that the four-time champion could be looking to part ways with Red Bull considering the current performance struggles. On top of the recent decline in performance, Adrian Newey’s exit to Aston Martin last year and Honda’s upcoming departure are adding to the speculation. 

Although Verstappen is under contract with the Milton Keynes outfit until 2028, he has been linked numerous times to Mercedes. 

During an appearance on the F1 Nation podcast, Smedley argued that although it was a “tough question,” he would sign Verstappen over current lead driver Russell if he was in Mercedes chief Toto Wolff’s position. He explained:

“Oh, that’s a very, very tough question because you’ve got a four-time world champion who is a guy who is one of those very, very special drivers and there’s very few of them who can drive over and above what the car can actually deliver. And he did that on Saturday in Miami and he did that at the start of the race.

“So if I was in a position to make this decision, which is what you’re actually asking me, would I want Max Verstappen in my car over anybody else on the grid right now?

“Yeah, 100% I would. No doubt.”

Former F1 champion Damon Hill has also recently discussed Verstappen’s future. He argued that some time out of the sport might be helpful for the Dutchman, giving him the opportunity to determine where each team is standing after the new regulations come into play. Hill explained:

“I mean, Red Bull are fighting to retain Max Verstappen. I mean, there is a clause in the contract. It’s been explained quite clearly that there’s a performance clause, and if they don’t match the performance clause, and let’s be honest, he’s never delivering less than 100%,” argued the 1996 world champion.

“If they don’t give him that, then he’s free to go wherever he wants. So, Red Bull are under pressure.Where can he go? I don’t know. George is on the verge of signing, they say, with Mercedes again, and then that’s that blocked out. I don’t know.

“I think he could. It might be a wise thing to do when you can see which way the wind’s going to blow after these new regulation changes. He’s young, he’s won four world championships, he’s won goodness how many races.

“Nobody knows what’s on the other side of the end of this season. What is going to happen? He could sit back next year and go, OK, I can see which way the future’s going to go for the next 10 years and whatever team is doing well will find the money to pay for having Max.”

Although Red Bull is facing some struggles, Verstappen is still third in the championship standings behind the two McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.