Mercedes' George Russell in limbo with Max Verstappen considering a shock move from Red Bull

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Major shake-ups are on the horizon at Mercedes as George Russell is expected to say his goodbyes to Lewis Hamilton in 2025.

After three seasons in the shadow of one of Formula 1's greatest talents, Russell is ready to take the lead for the Silver Arrows next season. Hamilton's predicted move to Ferrari will see Kimi Antonelli stepping into his shoes at Mercedes, creating a sense of uncertainty as the 18 year-old takes over from such a seasoned pro.

If the Brackley-based team can build a car that consistently competes, the future could be bright for Toto Wolff and his team. However, a potential sequence of events could spell trouble for Russell next year. The British driver has already exceeded his personal best with two wins this season, but he'll need to step up his game to put Mercedes in the title race next term.

Russell's long-term future is still up in the air after averaging one race win per season with Mercedes, raising questions about whether he has truly won over the team's top brass. Despite now being the senior starter and the arrival of Antonelli, bosses have not been quick to secure his services.

One might have thought the former F1 heavyweights would be keen to secure the services of their more experienced servant. After all, the 2025 season is currently set to kick off with both Mercedes drivers on single-season contracts.

The team's current situation doesn't seem to fully commit to a future strategy, keeping their driver options open, including George Russell. However, there are strong indications that for 2026 they're eyeing a bigger name, with whispers in the paddock hinting at Max Verstappen as a key target.

The idea of Verstappen moving to Mercedes could spell troubles for Russell, particularly given Team Principal Toto Wolff's well-documented esteem for the Dutch ace. The 52 year-old Wolff acknowledged summertime talks with Verstappen and when pressed about the chances of signing him, he stated that it "wasn't zero".

Verstappen has a deal with Red Bull till 2028 but hasn't shied away from suggesting an early departure, by retirement or team switch, could be on the cards. Despite ongoing speculation of a jump to Mercedes, he assured this summer that he'll remain with Red Bull for the coming season at least.

"I think I've said this before. I mean, naturally, of course, people are talking," Verstappen noted in June.

"But it's most important just that we have a very competitive car for the future. At the moment, of course, it's very tight, but we are working very well as a team to try and improve more. And for sure, I said this already with the team, we are working and focusing also on next year to try and be competitive again."

Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli steps into the limelight as one to watch. From George Russell's viewpoint, being outperformed by a rookie like Antonelli could be damning. The young driver represents a cost-effective alternative and his youth, being eight years Russell's junior, could tip the balance in his favour.

If Russell fails to significantly outperform his incoming partner next year, his position might be at risk. Mercedes would likely hesitate to pay a premium for a driver who isn't delivering, especially when younger talents are showing potential.

Russell may find some comfort in an inconsistent 2024 season for Antonelli in Formula 2, suggesting he's not yet the finished article. However, a strong start for the Italian rookie could further undermine Russell's bargaining power during a crucial period for contract discussions.

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