George Russell to join Red Bull in 2026?

Reports that George Russell is set to join Red Bull in 2026 are gaining traction ahead of Miami.

George Russell arrived at Mercedes for the start of the 2022 season, the dawn of the current ground-effect cars. Unfortunately, this coincided with a dramatic downward trend in performance for the Brackley-based team.

Mercedes has struggled with this generation of car, suffering from porpoising and questionable aero choices. Russell won just one race in his inaugural year, before adding two to his roster last season.

The allure of Red Bull appears to be now calling to Russell. The Briton has been linked to early conversations with Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner, as reported by The Race and Planet F1.

This move would not be as dramatic as Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell switch to Ferrari for 2025. However, multiple factors would have to fall perfectly into place for Russell to join Red Bull. Of course, a follow up question also exists to this – why would Russell want to join the team Max Verstappen is walking away from?

Is Mercedes no longer the best option for George Russell?

Russell is a high-profile driver out of contract at the end of 2025. His stock is now at an all-time high, following his highly successful start to the season.

It is understood that negotiations have yet to start with Mercedes about an extension. This is not unusual, as contract talks usually start from mid-season. However, Russell seems to be keeping his options open.

Rivals have noted very public conversations with McLaren and Alpine in the paddock, but it is telling that the Red Bull talks have been held behind closed doors. It is understood that the conversations are informal and not yet at an advanced stage.

To leave Mercedes, which has reportedly had strong initial results from its 2026 power unit, would be a major risk to Russell. If Mercedes nails the 2026 technical regulations, the team could once again be a front runner in F1.

Why Red Bull?

Red Bull holding talks with Russell indicates that its concerns over Max Verstappen departing at the end of the year are serious.

If this switch comes off, it will lead to two of the greatest F1 team rivals of recent times swapping drivers. An unthinkable scenario back in 2021, Red Bull is clearly concerned about losing its star asset.

Russell could join the team at exactly the wrong moment. The team’s power unit division, coupled with incoming car giant Ford is unproven. Adrian Newey has now departed for Aston Martin leaving a void behind in the design team.

But Mercedes is not a bed of roses either. The team is stuck in a semi-permanent state of mediocrity, unable to move back to the front of the field. Its aero philosophy has failed to produce consistent progress, and many of its key staff were poached back in 2023, an episode it has never recovered from.

The question has to be asked of Russell’s mindset. Does he know of something that rivals do not over Red Bull’s 2026 aspirations? If so why would this not persuade Max Verstappen to stay, given the consistent rumours he is about to leave?

Every top driver wants the best car, it is a fact as old as F1 itself. Russell clearly believes that Red Bull can give him this. But examining the evidence, this idea starts to unravel.

Wanting the best car, but will Russell get it?

Red Bull has been stuck in a developmental black hole for the last year. The team tunes its car to the very specific characteristics Verstappen needs.

Given his status as world champion Having claimed Liam Lawson as a casualty after just two races, that Yuki Tsuonda is now in the car to develop it based on his experience speaks volumes.

Russell must believe, if these negotiations are serious, that he can tame the beast. On paper this makes sense, as Russell as This is trait that Russell has nailed technical feedback to Mercedes to drive improvement.

Teams value detailed driver feedback to develop a car over a season, and help focus direction for the following year’s car. One gripe Verstappen has at Red Bull is that technical feedback is ignored. Sergio Perez was also a vocal critic of this during his time at the team.

If Russell joins, this would indicate Red Bull is changing its mindset if it is indeed moving into a post Verstappen era.

George Russell to Red Bull is a tantalising prospect, with major consequences for the rest of the driver market.

If Russell is seen publicly speaking to Horner or Dr Helmut Marko, we know this move is more than possible.