Mercedes are preparing to offer George Russell a new contract to stay beyond 2025, but Red Bull still face the threat of Max Verstappen leaving to sign for a rival F1 team.
The Silver Arrows have long been regarded as a likely landing spot for Verstappen were he to look to leave Red Bull. Milton Keynes has been the 27-year-old’s home since 2016, yet doubt continues to bubble over his commitment to see out the Dutchman’s contract through 2028.
Verstappen has multiple exit clauses in his Red Bull contract which could see him leave if the team continue to struggle for results. The four-time defending champion is only eight points off Lando Norris in the F1 drivers’ standings, yet Verstappen is overcoming the RB21’s issues.
Yet a move to Brackley might not be on the cards now Russell is expected to sign a new two-year Mercedes contract worth $30m (£23m) per year. The 27-year-old is out of contract this term but he has impressed since becoming Mercedes’ team leader after Lewis Hamilton left.
Aston Martin have a five-year, £1bn contract offer for Max Verstappen to leave Red Bull
Russell re-signing for Mercedes will likely remove the risk for Red Bull of Verstappen joining the Silver Arrows, with the Brackley bunch highly likely to also want to retain rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. But the threat of the Dutchman leaving Milton Keynes will not disappear yet.
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| Position | Drivers’ Championship | Points |
| 1 |
Lando Norris |
77 |
| 2 |
Oscar Piastri |
74 |
| 3 |
Max Verstappen |
69 |
| 4 |
George Russell |
63 |
| 5 |
Charles Leclerc |
32 |
| 6 |
Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
30 |
Reports by OE24 say the mood at Red Bull is ‘tense’ and while Verstappen is under contract through 2028, the Milton Keynes natives face ‘stiff competition’ from Aston Martin for him. Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll is also ‘temping’ Verstappen to join on a huge contract.
Aston Martin’s contract offer could see Verstappen get €1.2bn (£1.03bn) to spend five years in Silverstone, working out as £206,154,000 a season or £3,964,500 a week. He would also comfortably become the highest-paid driver on the grid with the terms that Stroll is offering.
Mercedes re-signing George Russell will not ease the tension building at Red Bull
It has long been reported that Aston Martin are willing to hand Verstappen a £1bn contract to leave Red Bull. But the latest suggestions from OE24 indicate how committed Stroll is to the idea of the Dutchman leading Aston Martin by giving Verstappen a five-year contract to join.
READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Stroll’s advances will also only add to the tense mood in Milton Keynes, with Red Bull fearful that Verstappen could leave in 2026. He has so far managed the loose rear end of their RB21 to remain in the 2025 title fight but the Bahrain Grand Prix proved his issues with a P6 finish.
It was the second time this season that Verstappen has not finished on a Grand Prix podium after also coming fourth in the Chinese GP. So, as Verstappen is keeping close tabs on Aston Martin, as well, Red Bull might start to feel very uneasy even if Mercedes do re-sign Russell.
