Former Haas Method 1 workforce principal Guenther Steiner believes George Russell is already exploring choices outdoors of Mercedes, suggesting the British driver could possibly be evaluating a possible swap to Audi for the 2028 F1 season.
Regardless of holding a seat at Mercedes, Russell’s future on the Brackley outfit has turn into a subject of debate following the spectacular efficiency of his teenage team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
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The Italian grew to become the youngest driver to steer the drivers’ championship after back-to-back wins in China and Japan and has since gone from energy to energy. Heading into the summer season break, Antonelli leads the standings with 219 factors. He’s adopted by Lewis Hamilton with 169 factors and Russell with 160 factors.
Throughout an look on The Crimson Flags Podcast, Steiner steered that the inner dynamic at Mercedes is already pushing Russell to contemplate his choices for the long run. Along with his battle with Antonelli, Russell may be feeling the stress from the rising hypothesis linking four-time champion Max Verstappen to Mercedes.
Whereas Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has confirmed he wish to retain his present driver line-up for 2027 and Russell has additionally reaffirmed his dedication to his workforce, Steiner argued that Russell might have a look at Audi for 2028.
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“There’s numerous curiosity from drivers to go to Audi for 2028,” he mentioned. “For subsequent 12 months they’re fairly set, however there’s possibly a chance in 2028 at Audi.
George Russell, Mercedes
“That is fairly an attention-grabbing place as a result of they’re making good progress. It appears to be on monitor, what they’re doing. I believe there can be fairly just a few candidates. Carlos [Sainz] for positive.
“I believe George can be trying round now, realizing that he is now with Kimi. He would not wish to stick with Kimi for the remainder of his life, as a result of there he is aware of the place he’s for the remainder of his life. So, he’s looking for new alternatives.”
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Audi accomplished its full takeover of Sauber in the beginning of the 2026 season, securing Mattia Binotto and former Crimson Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley in management roles. It has been growing its energy unit since 2022. Audi boasts the backing of an automotive powerhouse within the type of the Volkswagen Group, which has invested closely within the outfit, offering the assets and technical know-how obligatory to construct a championship-contending operation from the bottom up.
In fact, none of this implies Russell is leaving Brackley for rival German soil, however a works Audi seat in 2028 would a minimum of give Russell a mission he might personal quite than a throne he is at present combating to defend.
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