McLaren F1 boss predicts Verstappen-Russell at Mercedes in 2022
McLaren Formula 1 CEO Zak Brown has predicted that Max Verstappen and George Russell will form an all-new line-up at Mercedes in 2022, replacing Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
The identity of Mercedes' future line-up remains the subject of intense speculation after only concluding a one-year contract extension with Hamilton in February, while teammate Bottas has been on one-year deals for several seasons.
That means Mercedes is free to swap drivers for 2022 when Mercedes protege Russell, who starred in last year's Sakhir Grand Prix when filling in for a COVID-hit Hamilton, will also be available upon the conclusion of his three-year Williams deal.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said after the Sakhir GP that it "must not be carried away" by Russell's performance, as he was twice denied victory by a bungled tyre change and a late puncture, and stressed that seven-time champion Hamilton was "still the benchmark".
But Mercedes might also need to look elsewhere in case Hamilton decides not to continue in the sport beyond this season, with Red Bull team leader Verstappen tipped to be the Briton's long-term successor in Brackley.
Verstappen's Red Bull deal runs until 2023, but is believed to contain certain performance clauses that could enable him to switch teams as early as next winter.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner admitted that Verstappen "would have naturally be the driver at the top of the list" should Hamilton retire and now McLaren's Brown has predicted both the Dutchman and Russell will make the move to Mercedes next year.
"It seems to me that that would be the logical choice for Mercedes," Brown said when asked about a Verstappen-Russell pairing at Mercedes.
"Given George's relationship with Mercedes and he's out of contract is my understanding at the end of the year, you have Lewis on a one year contract and you have Max which I believe is a free agent at the end of the year.
"Whether that actually ends up happening or not, and I'm not trying to stir it, that's kind of what it looks like would happen to me.
"I think that would be a common sense move by Toto to make, but I have no insight if that will be what happens."
Speaking at the launch of the Mercedes W12 last month, Wolff admitted Verstappen was on his radar but said he would first start talks with his current drivers before looking elsewhere.
"Max is certainly an outstanding young driver that will be on everybody's radar in the future," Wolff said.
"But as I said before, we are not flirting outside before we have a clear understanding with our two drivers."
Related video
Brown says F1 has to accept Netflix's artistic licence
Bahrain GP: Verstappen tops FP1 from Bottas
2021 IndyCar champion Palou joins McLaren as F1 reserve driver
IndyCar's 2021 champion Alex Palou will be the McLaren Formula 1 team's reserve driver during the 2023 season, the Woking squad announced on Thursday.
Goodyear and NASCAR agree on new long-term contract
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has agreed to another long-term contract extension with NASCAR.
The key steps on Rovanpera's romp to a history-making WRC title
With only cameo roles played by legendary Sebastiens Ogier and Loeb, Kalle Rovanpera ushered in the new hybrid era for the World Rally Championship by becoming its youngest champion. Here's how Toyota's Flying Finn crushed the competition, led by Hyundai's departing star Ott Tanak.
Calderon: ‘All options open’ for 2023 after IndyCar sojourn
Tatiana Calderon feels she has “unfinished business” in IndyCar following the abrupt end to her 2022 campaign, but is open-minded about her 2023 options.
The key F1 management call Ferrari must make to avoid more defeat
OPINION: Mattia Binotto’s departure from Ferrari will naturally bring a range of changes across the Formula 1 team. But how the changes shape up and the impact they could have is set to be dictated by a key direction Ferrari’s top dogs will need to pick
The difference between Mercedes’ stumble and the fall of F1 giants
OPINION: Mercedes endured its worst season of the hybrid Formula 1 era, but was mercifully spared its first winless campaign in over a decade late on. It has owned up to the mistakes it made which led to its troubled W13. And while its task to return to title-challenging contention is not small, its 2022 season seems more like a blip than the beginning of a downward spiral.
The physical focus bringing out the best from Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon likes to point out he’s the first driver since Lewis Hamilton to emerge from a spell as Fernando Alonso’s teammate with a superior overall points record. While some may disagree, as LUKE SMITH discovered, the 2021 Hungarian GP winner reckons it’s not just luck which has made him France’s pre-eminent Formula 1 driver of the moment…
How Red Bull's dynamic leader Mateschitz shaped its F1 philosophy
The death of Dietrich Mateschitz last month has not only deprived Red Bull of its visionary founder, it has shorn Formula 1 of one of its most influential benefactors. Mateschitz himself was famously media-shy, preferring to let the brand do the talking on his behalf. And, while it’s now normal to speak of Red Bull F1 titles and champions made, Mateschitz never assumed it would be easy or even possible – as ANTHONY ROWLINSON discovered during this previously unpublished interview from 2006…
Can Mercedes break Formula 1's cycle of doom?
OPINION: Teams that have dominated for long periods throughout Formula 1's history often take years to get back to the top of the tree once they've slipped down. But it remains to be seen whether the same will happen to Mercedes after a challenging 2022 season
What hurt Perez most in his ill-fated fight for second in Abu Dhabi
Arguably the favourite in the battle to finish second-best in 2022's Formula 1 standings, Sergio Perez's two-stop strategy at Abu Dhabi couldn't take him ahead of Charles Leclerc when the music stopped - and several key factors ultimately precluded him from the much-coveted runner-up spot.
The Abu Dhabi momentum that can propel Leclerc and Ferrari to F1 2023 success
OPINION: Charles Leclerc achieved his target of sealing runner-up in the 2022 world championship with a masterful drive behind Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. And that race contained key elements that may help him, and Ferrari, go one better in Formula 1 2023
2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Driver Ratings
The 2022 Formula 1 season came to a close at the Yas Marina Circuit, where the battle for second in the standings was decided, the wins in a season record extended and a retiring four-time world champion bowed out on a high. Here's how we rated the drivers