Janice R. Andrews
Toto Wolff has delivered a strong response to Christian Horner after the Red Bull chief hinted that his team might be interested in signing Mercedes’ George Russell. Horner’s remarks about Russell being a potential option when his contract ends in 2025 did not sit well with Wolff, who dismissed the speculation outright.
Horner had noted that with Sergio Perez’s contract expiring soon, Red Bull might need to explore options beyond its current driver pool. During the Singapore Grand Prix, Horner mentioned that Red Bull isn’t hesitant to look beyond its usual selection of drivers. He added that talented drivers like Russell should be considered as they approach the end of their contracts.
This did not go down well with Wolff, who accused Horner of “always stirring s*** up.” The Mercedes team principal expressed confidence that Russell is fully committed to staying with Mercedes in the long term. Wolff stated there’s no reason to think about a driver change, especially as the team has high expectations for its future, particularly with promising young driver Kimi Antonelli soon joining the ranks.
Wolff was direct in addressing Horner’s statements, calling it “part of the game” for the Red Bull boss to create speculation. However, he reaffirmed that Mercedes’ attention remains focused on George Russell and the team’s upcoming plans for 2024 and 2025. Wolff also brushed off any notions of external flirtations, emphasizing that any discussions would be transparent if they were to occur.
This ongoing exchange between Wolff and Horner continues to intensify the fierce rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull, especially as both teams navigate the ever-changing driver landscape. With Max Verstappen locked into Red Bull until 2028, the future of other drivers, including Russell, remains a point of interest.
Formula 1 returns to action after a short autumn break, with the United States Grand Prix scheduled to take place in Austin from October 18-20. Fans will be eager to see how these team dynamics continue to evolve on and off the track.
