Montoya to Mercedes: 'Forget Verstappen, Russell is Your Future'

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Mercedes doesn't need to pursue Max Verstappen, asserting that George Russell's recent performances prove he's already capable of matching Verstappen's level. Montoya urged Mercedes to secure Russell's long-term future, emphasizing his impressive form and ability to win races even in a theoretically uncompetitive car.

Why it matters:

After a dominant era, Mercedes faces a critical juncture in securing its future championship aspirations. With Lewis Hamilton's departure and Toto Wolff's often-speculated interest in Max Verstappen, Montoya's comments highlight a significant internal debate. Recognizing and investing in Russell as a potential cornerstone could define Mercedes' trajectory for years to come, potentially solidifying their next championship-contending line-up without needing to entice external talent.

The Details:

• Montoya's Bold Claim: On the AS Colombia MontoyAS podcast, Juan Pablo Montoya stated, "George is showing that they don’t need Max because they already have him, who can be as good as Max in the future."
• Russell's Form: The 26-year-old British driver has been a standout in the 2025 season, securing 15 top-five finishes and two race victories across the first 18 races. This includes a notable win in Singapore, a race where Mercedes was not expected to contend for the top step.
• Forcing Mercedes' Hand: Montoya believes Russell's exceptional performance is compelling Mercedes to secure his future with a favorable contract. "The way he’s doing it, he’s forcing Mercedes’ hand to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to have to give him whatever he wants.’"
• Dominance Over Teammate: Russell has significantly outperformed his current teammate, Kimi Antonelli, since becoming Mercedes' lead driver. He is responsible for eight of the nine podiums the Brackley-based team has achieved this season.

The Big Picture:

Russell's trajectory aligns with the narrative of a driver stepping up to lead a top team. His consistent results and ability to extract maximum performance from the W16 car, even when it's not the fastest on the grid, underscores his growing maturity and championship potential. This echoes the development of other F1 greats who rose to prominence within established teams, ultimately becoming their linchpins.

What's next:

Mercedes' immediate focus will undoubtedly be on continuing to develop their car and supporting Russell's push for more consistent results. Long-term, the team will need to address Montoya's call to action: solidifying Russell's contract. If Russell continues his current form, Mercedes could find themselves with a clear path forward, building their future around the young Briton and potentially saving themselves the intense bidding war that would inevitably ensue for a driver of Verstappen's caliber.