‘Nobody’ at Japanese Grand Prix is talking about 130-race star with uncertain future, he’s being ‘neglected’

As Formula 1 heads to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull’s driver swap is on everyone’s mind.

It took just two races for the driver market to see some action as Liam Lawson has been demoted from Red Bull. The New Zealander has gone back to Racing Bulls after a torrid start to 2025.

Lawson was considered to have a higher ceiling than Racing Bulls teammate Yuki Tsunoda over the winter. However, Christian Horner was proved wrong after the Kiwi driver was knocked out in Q1 in Melbourne and Shanghai – qualifying last in the latter twice.

Failing to score a point while Max Verstappen grabbed a podium in Australia, Lawson has returned to the Faenza outfit after just two Grand Prix, with Tsunoda replacing him at Red Bull. It is no surprise this has captured all the attention at Suzuka, considering how early in the season this swap has come.

In fact, it is the shortest stint of any Red Bull driver in the team’s history. Jacques Villeneuve felt Lawson ‘collapsed’ before his demotion, leaving the Milton Keynes outfit no choice but to make a decision.

Now, the 23-year-old is fighting to keep is F1 career alive at Racing Bulls – as is Tsunoda, with both drivers out of contract in 2025. Amid the drama at Red Bull, ‘nobody’ at the Japanese Grand Prix is talking about another driver whose future is uncertain.

‘Nobody’ is talking about George Russell’s future amid drama at Red Bull

George Russell has had an impressive start to the 2025 season at Mercedes. Taking on the reins as lead driver from Lewis Hamilton, the Brit has finished third at the opening two Grand Prix.

Russell is nine points behind championship leader Lando Norris heading into Suzuka. Guenther Steiner says ‘nobody’ is noticing Russell and how ‘fantastic’ he has been so far – the 27-year-old and Mercedes have made huge improvements over the winter.

Russell is out of contract in 2025 and will surely be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market if he does become available. Although it seems no one is paying attention to his future, with journalist Aaron Deckers saying the Brit has been ‘neglected’ in the paddock in Japan.

“So far it has not been much about George Russell, that he is just performing steadily,” he said via RacingNews365.

“But nobody is really talking about the contract extension in the paddock itself. What is going on in the paddock, certainly at Red Bull. I mean the past two weeks it has not been about anything else than Liam Lawson.

“And what else is going on at Red Bull, as you mentioned with Horner and Marko and the problems with the car etc. So in that respect Russell has been a bit neglected but of course he is performing consistently.

“Suppose Mercedes now signs him for longer. Kimi Antonelli, he could be put on the street at the end of this year so to speak, or to another team.”

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

Will Mercedes retain George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026?

Of course, as Deckers rightfully pointed out, it is not just Russell out of a drive come 2026 with Mercedes. Teammate Kimi Antonelli has signed only a one-year deal after the rookie replaced Hamilton.

The 2025 season may only be in its third race, but the fact that the Silver Arrows duo have not been spoken about regarding their future is bizarre. Russell and Antonelli’s performances have put Mercedes second in the constructors’ championship, 21 points ahead of Red Bull and behind McLaren.

Many would naturally assume the Brackley-based outfit would retain their drivers. Russell has found a new gear since Hamilon left while Mercedes are excited by Antonelli and the potential he has.

However, Verstappen could throw a spanner in the works if he decides to leave Red Bull. Toto Wolff has been a keen admirer of the Dutchman and would surely grasp at the opportunity to sign him to Mercedes – even at the expense of one of his top drivers.