Nico Rosberg says George Russell’s seat at Mercedes for 2026 “is not safe at all” with the Silver Arrows nonetheless prone to court docket reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Crew principal Toto Wolff confirmed over the weekend that 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli would substitute the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes subsequent season.
Antonelli and Russell will each be out of contract on the finish of 2025 and Wolff has made no secret of his admiration of Verstappen, though he informed Sky Sports activities F1 on Saturday that his pursuit of the Pink Bull driver had “paused” for now.
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George Russell nearly overtook Sergio Perez for seventh following some thrilling racing, whereas Lando Norris went off-track as he practically misplaced out on second to Charles Leclerc
Nonetheless, 2016 world champion Rosberg stated: “George is not safe at all because Toto still wants Max.
“He’ll strive once more for 2026 as a result of ‘surrender’ doesn’t seem in Toto’s vocabulary. If Max does grow to be obtainable – and I do suppose it is a chance – then it’s a shootout between George and Kimi subsequent yr.
“It’s a lot of pressure on George as he has everything to lose. He should be the one ahead at the team internally, because Kimi is 18 and he’s completely new and in a full-pressure situation, so it’s not an easy situation for George.”
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Lewis Hamilton was left annoyed with the efficiency of his Mercedes after ending fifth whereas Mercedes team-mate George Russell admits his first lap error price him an opportunity of competing
Rosberg’s fellow Sky Sports activities F1 pundit Martin Brundle added: “Clearly Toto is vastly invested personally in Kimi and with him making these overtures to Max, I feel George will often be wanting over his shoulder questioning the place he stands.
“But he’s the Mercedes team leader at a time when they seem to be really coming good again and if you have a future-proof pairing in George and Antonelli and they are getting the job done, you don’t need to spend north of £50m on another driver.”
Wolff rejects Russell-Antonelli ‘shootout’ suggestion
Wolff performed down the concept of a shootout between Russell – who completed seventh on the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday – and Antonelli in 2025, saying: “No. I very much hope we go a long time with these two. It is clear you always pick the best [drivers] but as it stands, that is the line-up.
“Now we have had an open channel over the previous couple of years [with Verstappen]. Typically discussing extra, generally discussing much less, but it surely by no means got here to placing phrases collectively.
“We have a commitment to our drivers to give it our best effort so for the moment it is a pause.”
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Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff analyses his new 2025 driver line-up and believes Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are the crew’s future
Russell hopes to steer Antonelli although his debut F1 season as he steps as much as senior man following Hamilton’s choice to go away the crew with whom he has received six of his seven world titles.
Russell stated: “I look forward to using the experience I’ve gained from my own journey to provide guidance to Kimi as he makes the step up to F1.
“I understand how a lot of a assist Lewis was for me all through my time as a junior driver and since I have been his team-mate. I’ve realized a lot from him and hope to play the same position for Kimi.”
Formulation 1 leaves mainland Europe for Baku and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 13-15, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
