George Russell backs F1 to outlive potential Max Verstappen exit

George Russell instructed Max Verstappen’s Method 1 stop menace is linked to Crimson Bull’s struggles however admitted he would “perceive” if the four-time world champion walked away.

Query marks have been already lingering round Verstappen’s future earlier than he sensationally claimed he might stroll away from F1 on the finish of the season after changing into disenchanted with the brand new 2026 guidelines.

The 28-year-old Dutchman’s feedback got here after a irritating run to eighth on the Japanese Grand Prix, having already made a number of disparaging remarks in regards to the new energy unit laws.

Whereas Verstappen has insisted his frustrations are solely about his lack of enjoyment and never associated to Crimson Bull’s poor efficiency thus far in 2026, Russell thinks the 2 are linked.

Requested what he has manufactured from Verstappen’s complaints, Russell, whose Mercedes group are already the championship favourites, advised media together with Crash.web: “Method 1 is larger than any driver. You would not need to lose Max as a result of all of us take pleasure in racing towards Max.

“It is simply half and parcel of Method 1. I did not take pleasure in driving the ’22 automotive when it was porpoising up and down, killing all people’s backs. The automotive was large, it was heavy, the high-speed corners, it wasn’t very nice to drive round, however he did not have the identical criticism as a result of he was profitable.

“Now, the complaints that he has presently are completely different to the complaints of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren as a result of we’re on the entrance finish of the grid. That is solely pure and also you do perceive and recognise the frustration.

“However he is achieved what most drivers dream of, which is profitable a championship. He is received 4 of them. On the finish of the day, I assume you get to some extent in life…there’s not likely rather more for him to realize in Method 1. He is ticked all of the packing containers, perhaps he can go after the data.”

Verstappen has been pursuing outings in GT racing amid his present dissatisfaction with F1, and is getting ready to make his debut on the Nurburgring 24 Hours subsequent month.

Russell mentioned he can perceive why Verstappen would possibly need to search fulfilment elsewhere after ticking “all of the packing containers” in F1.

“I assume you get to some extent in life the place there’s not rather more for him to realize in F1. He is ticked all of the packing containers,” the Briton added.

“Possibly he can go after the data however figuring out him as I do and figuring out drivers who’ve gained or achieved related issues, at one level you need to do what places a smile in your face.

“I can completely perceive why driving the Nordschleife places a smile on his face. I’ve pushed tons of of laps across the Nordschleife on the simulator and I’d like to have that probability to go and race across the Nordschleife.

“However my purpose now could be to change into a Method 1 world champion. If I’ve 4 of them below my belt, I would in all probability be doing the identical. He is in a really completely different stage of his profession.

“I feel you’d perceive if he stayed and also you’d perceive if he went.”