Former Formula One driver Jenson Button has backed Max Verstappen‘s move to Mercedes, saying he would form an excellent driver lineup with George Russell. While that would mean replacing Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Button said the junior driver is yet to showcase his true talent.
Russell opened up about Mercedes’ ongoing talks with Verstappen, suggesting that as the reason why his contract discussions are on hold. The Briton’s Mercedes contract expires at the end of 2025.
Notably, Kimi Antonelli’s contract is also set to last until the end of the current year. However, speculation suggests Russell as the likely driver who Verstappen will replace if he moves to Mercedes.
Verstappen pledged his loyalty to Red Bull a few weeks ago, suggesting that he would continue racing for the Milton Keynes-based outfit. However, former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner’s sudden ousting last week might have influenced his outlook.
Former champion Button is unsure about Mercedes replacing Russell with Verstappen, given that Red Bull’s title challenger is designed around the four-time world champion. He said on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X:
“It’s a tricky one for Max, because he’s in a position where he’s doing so well with Red Bull – they’ve given him so much over the years. They’ve designed this car around him, and he’s extremely good at it. Nobody can match him in that car.
“They’re so far off him. I mean, him qualifying third or fourth, and them qualifying 18th. If he goes to Mercedes, it’s a different thing altogether. You know, that car is not going to be designed around him. So, is it going to work for him? I don’t know.”
Button then pointed out the improvement in Russell’s performance in recent years, especially since he outperformed his former teammate Lewis Hamilton in the 2024 season. He added:
“I mean, the best in the world should be able to make that work for him. It’s a tough one on George, because George is at the top of his game. I think he’s been so competitive. When you see what he did against Lewis [Hamilton] in the last few years, he is World Championship material.”
Instead, Button reckoned Mercedes could hand Kimi Antonelli’s seat to Verstappen if he were to move to the Brackley-based team, especially with the onset of a new era of regulations in 2026. He said:
“So, to replace Max with him, it just seems like a strange move. I know they’ve got the young Kimi Antonelli, who’s 18, who could be a future star. But we still don’t know that.
“Whereas George is there, he is good, and you need two very competitive drivers with this new era of the sport. Next year, obviously lots of regulation changes, car change, engine change. So, for me, George and Max would be a better line-up.”
When asked if a Russell-Verstappen partnership would work, given the friction between the two drivers, Button said:
“I would love to see it!”
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