Formula 1 has been chosen by a new owner: Mercedes has formalized the extension of George Russell’s contract until 2028 only, while Max Verstappen’s door is boiling, which leads to his joining the German team. This decision, announced last March on the occasion of the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, is at the mercy of the Verstappen clan and the surprise of Lawrence Stroll, boss of Aston Martin, who hopes to equip the four-time world champion for his ambitious project. The strategic move by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff rewrites the page of F1 and promises an explosive 2025 season.

At 27, George Russell is establishing himself as the Mercedes mainstay. Following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari, the Briton has been following the team’s break with impressive regularity. His performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he beat Charles Leclerc at the start and held off Lando Norris despite technical issues, convinced Toto Wolff that he was greedy for him. According to some sources, Russell has signed a lucrative £22.5 million-a-year contract, a testament to his talent and leadership role.

“George is the future of Mercedes,” Wolff said. “His consistency and ability to perform under pressure are exceptional. Along with Kimi Antonelli, our duo is ready to crush Mercedes at the top.” Russell’s confidence, coupled with the emergence of Antonelli, the Italian rookie who impresses with his speed, seems to put an end to the debate on a possible Verstappen signing.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has long been in Mercedes’ sights. Rumors of a possible transfer intensified following tensions with Red Bull in 2024, marked by the departure of Adrian Newey and the RB21’s faltering performance. Toto Wolff was never kept on the back burner, but only offered an astronomical salary of €150 million to equip the Dutchman.

However, Russell’s contract extension and Antonelli’s involvement have put an end to such speculation. Verstappen, whose contract includes a clause allowing him to leave Red Bull and drop out of the top three in the championship, is disappointed by his limited options. Mercedes, which seems the most likely destination, is a choice to develop its young talents. “We have a competitive car, but we want drivers who fit into our long-term vision,” said Wolff, gradually realizing that Verstappen was no longer part of the plans.

The move also comes as a surprise to Lawrence Stroll, who has made Verstappen a key figure in his Aston Martin project. With the arrival of Adrian Newey and the adoption of a Honda engine in 2026, Aston Martin aims to develop a dominant force. Rumors have been circulating of a billion-pound deal to bring Verstappen in, but talks with the Verstappen clan appear to have stalled.

Honda, Aston Martin’s powertrain partner, has attempted to downplay the speculation. Honda F1 team principal Koji Watanabe said: “We will continue to supply engines to Max, but it depends on his choice.” Despite Verstappen’s recent performance in Bahrain, whether a battle with an RB21 is competitive or not, the Dutch team may reconsider its options.

Mercedes’ announcement also shattered the rivalry between Russell and Verstappen, marked by the memorable additions in 2024. At the Hong Kong Grand Prix, Russell accused Verstappen of problematic behavior, claiming that 25% of Red Bull engineers wanted to leave the team because of him. Verstappen, for his part, downplayed these tensions, but Mercedes’ decision could be a testament to the hostilities on the track.

“I’m not worried about Max,” Russell said at the 2025 championship presentation. “He’s focused on Mercedes and winning.” This reassurance contrasts with Verstappen’s apparent frustration that the future is uncertain.

This decision by Mercedes marks a turning point in Formula 1. Alongside Russell and Antonelli, the German team is sending a clear message: it prioritizes stability and the youth of a superstar like Verstappen. For Aston Martin, Verstappen’s team could slow his ambitions, so Red Bull has now produced a champion in search of answers.

The 2025 season promises to be exciting, with fierce rivalries and colossal battles. Mercedes, with Russell at the helm, looks set to challenge McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. As for Verstappen, he’ll need to find a new lease on life at the top. One choice is the right one: F1 isn’t a surprise final stage.