Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has claimed that George Russell’s Mercedes long-term future isn’t secure, despite his impressive start to the season.
Russell, 27, won the opening Australian Grand Prix earlier this month before finishing second – behind team-mate Kimi Antonelli – at the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend. He is top of the Drivers’ Standings having collected 51 points from the first two races and is the favourite to become world champion come the end of the season.
But ex-Sauber and Jaguar man Herbert, who was a mainstay on the F1 grid in the 1990s, believes that Russell could be let go by Mercedes sooner rather than later.
He cited that Max Verstappen’s discontent and uncertain future at Red Bull could open the door for his arrival at Mercedes and Russell’s departure.
Herbert, who was speaking alongside Damon Hill on the Stay On Track podcast, said: “I’ve heard little rumours again that with Max not being very happy where he is… is he going to be taken by Mercedes, which means they are going to get rid of George.”
Hill said in response: “So George is always temporary.”
Although both Russell and Antonelli have won and finished second in a race this season, the Brit is four points ahead of his teammate in the Drivers’ Standings due to winning the sprint race in China.
Antonelli came behind Russell in second in Australia before coming out on top in the second race of the season at the Shanghai International Circuit.
And 1996 F1 world champion Hill has questioned whether Antonelli, 19, has now jumped up above Russell to Mercedes’ first-choice driver.
“Kimi is Toto’s protégé, if you like. He’s put his reputation on the line to get this guy in,” Hill said. “Kimi doesn’t want to let him down, but at the same time, he’s thankful to Toto, and Toto’s delighted that he’s now won a race.
“Meanwhile, George has been trying his very best to impress them for now I don’t know how many seasons. It got to a point last year where they had to re-sign and it went on a bit. It wasn’t like Toto was desperate to re-sign George.”
Russell signed a new contract at Mercedes last October to run him through to the end of the 2026 season. The deal, often described as a one-plus-one or a “multi-year” agreement, includes performance-based clauses that can automatically extend his tenure into 2027 based on meeting specific targets, putting his future in his own hands.
Russell and Antonelli are set to go to battle in the next F1 race in Japan this weekend.