Mercedes driver George Russell talks about a possible Formula 1 retirement for Max Verstappen and says why they “don’t want to lose” the Red Bull driver
The new Formula 1 regulations and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s mixed start to the season have sparked speculation about the future of the four-time world champion. Should the Dutchman actually leave the premier class, it would even give his arch-rival George Russell pause for thought.
“You don’t want to lose Max, because I think we all enjoy racing against Max, and that’s just part of Formula 1,” says the Mercedes driver, who believes, however, that the premier class could ‘survive’ without Max Verstappen because “Formula 1 is bigger than any driver”.
However, Mercedes driver Russell can only partially understand the public criticism of the Red Bull driver: “I didn’t enjoy driving the 2022 car when it was bouncing up and down and breaking everyone’s back. The car was big, it was heavy, it wasn’t very comfortable to drive in fast corners.“
”But he didn’t have the same complaints because he won,” says the current Mercedes driver, looking back a few years to when the Dutchman dominated Formula 1. “Now the complaints he has now are different to those of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren because we are at the front of the field, and that’s quite natural.”
Russell: Max Verstappen “has ticked all the boxes”
Verstappen himself has made it clear several times in recent months that he will only stay in Formula 1 if the fun and the chance to win and retain the world championship title are still there. However, neither of these conditions are currently fulfilled for the Dutchman.
“You understand and recognize the frustration, but he has achieved what most drivers dream of, which is to win a championship,” Russell reminds us. “He’s got four of them, and at the end of the day you get to a point in life where there’s not much left for him to achieve in Formula 1.”
“He’s ticked all the boxes, maybe he can still go chasing records, but when you know him like I do and you know drivers who have achieved similar things, at some point you just want to do what puts a smile on your face, and I can totally understand why driving on the Nordschleife puts a smile on his face.”
Russell admits: “Would probably do the same thing”
Verstappen was back on the Nordschleife last weekend and took part in the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers races in preparation for his start in the 24-hour race (May 14-17) in the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Russell also understands this move: “I’ve done hundreds of laps on the Nordschleife in the simulator and would love to get that chance to race there myself, but my goal now is to become Formula 1 World Champion.”
“If I had four of them under my belt, I would probably do the same,” admits the championship runner-up. “So he’s at a very different stage in his career and I think you’d understand if he stayed and you’d understand if he left.”