George Russell explained that Max Verstappen never voiced the same grievances about the latest generation of Formula 1 machinery as his rivals because the Dutch driver was consistently winning. Still, Russell admitted he could "understand" why the four‑time world champion might consider stepping away from the sport. Verstappen's outlook beyond the current season remains hazy.
He has been outspoken about the new 2026 technical regulations, especially the 50‑50 split between internal‑combustion power and electric energy, and how that balance has altered the feel of the car. After the Japanese Grand Prix last month, the Red Bull driver hinted more strongly than ever that he could retire after this year. During a Mercedes media day held during F1's five‑week summer pause, Russell was asked whether he thought Verstappen would actually leave the grid and, if so, how the championship would survive the loss of its biggest star. "Formula 1 is bigger than any driver," Russell replied.
"You wouldn't want to lose Max because we all love racing against him." He went on to contrast his own experience with the 2022 car, which suffered from severe porpoising that made high‑speed corners uncomfortable and physically demanding, with Verstappen's situation. "I didn't enjoy driving the ’22 car when it was bouncing all over the place, killing everyone's backs.
The car was heavy, the high‑speed corners were brutal, but Max didn't have that complaint because he was winning," Russell said. Russell noted that Verstappen's current complaints differ from those of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren because the Dutchman sits at the front of the grid. "That is natural," he added, acknowledging the frustration that comes with being at the top when the regulations change. He reminded listeners that Verstappen has already achieved what most drivers only dream of – four world titles.
"At the end of the day, there isn’t much left to achieve in Formula 1 for him. He's ticked all the boxes. The next step might be to chase records," Russell observed.
Russell, who is chasing his first drivers' championship with Mercedes in this new era, said he can "totally understand" why Verstappen is branching out into GT3 endurance racing at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, a venue he will return to this weekend. "Knowing him as I do, and knowing drivers who have reached similar milestones, at some point you want to do what makes you smile," Russell explained. He added, "I can totally understand why the Nordschleife puts a smile on his face. I've logged hundreds of laps on the simulator and would love the chance to race there for real.
But my goal right now is to become a Formula 1 world champion. If I had four titles, I'd probably be doing the same thing. He's in a very different stage of his career. I think you'd understand if he stayed, and you'd also understand if he left." Verstappen himself said after Suzuka that he can "easily accept" finishing in P7 or P8, but that doing so without enjoying the car feels unnatural for a racing driver.
While Red Bull appear unlikely to fight for the championship this year, Mercedes have reinforced their status as early‑season favourites by winning the first three Grands Prix under the new rule set. The mandatory April break gave all teams time to return to their factories and continue development. Russell, who fell behind teammate Kimi Antonelli in the drivers' standings after Japan, does not expect a dramatic reshuffle when the series resumes in Miami, but he is aware that Mercedes' early advantage cannot last forever with 19 races still to run. Reflecting on the opening rounds – a win for Russell and two for Antonelli – he said, "We definitely hit the ground running in the first three races, and you could see that with the power‑unit manufacturers, especially us and Ferrari, we as a factory team have a better grasp of energy management than the customer teams." He credited the large staff and three years of simulator work for that edge, noting that the big gaps seen in Melbourne have already narrowed and that teams will continue to learn race by race.
"The field will slowly bunch up, but I don't think you'll see any sudden, drastic changes. Our pace advantage won't continue indefinitely – the others will be on our heels," Russell warned. Currently, Antonelli leads Russell by nine points at the top of the Drivers' Championship, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc 23 points back in third.
The championship returns on May 1‑3 for the Miami Grand Prix, the season's second Sprint weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. The upcoming races will test whether Verstappen's potential departure will reshape the sport or whether the remaining drivers will step up to fill the void left by one of the most dominant champions in recent memory.