Christian Horner reveals Red Bull could make a move for George Russell when his Mercedes contract expires… as he claims they would be “stupid” not to consider signing the star

Christian Horner has revealed that Red Bull could make a move for George Russell when his Mercedes contract expires.

Russell has impressed since joining Mercedes from Williams in 2022, placing fourth in his first year with the team.

The current 26-year contract expires at the end of next year’s Formula 1 season and, given his ability, Horner believes Red Bull would be “stupid” not to consider the Briton.

Speaking ahead of qualifying for the Singapore GP, Horner said: “We have a gap now but we just want to take some time to think about what those options look like going forward.

“We are not afraid to withdraw from the competition. George Russell is out of contract at the end of next year and it would be stupid of us not to consider him.”

Christian Horner has revealed that Red Bull could make a move for George Russell next year

Russell has impressed since joining Mercedes from Williams, but his contract expires in 2025

Russell replaced Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes in 2022 and finished eighth last year. He currently sits one position above him after winning the Austrian GP and securing podium finishes in Canada, Azerbaijan and Spain.

With Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari next season, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli will take over.

Wolff will have to scramble to find a new driver if Mercedes loses Russell and Hamilton in a short space of time, and he has previously made no secret of his interest in luring champion Max Verstappen from fierce rival Red Bull.

Verstappen has committed to Red Bull for 2025, but a move to the Silver Arrows a year later remains a possibility, coinciding with a major overhaul of the regulations. A Russell move would then make sense for Red Bull.

Horner insists Red Bull will not be short of options with the young talent coming through their ranks.

Horner added in the same interview: “We have given a great opportunity to many young drivers, some of whom you mentioned. The Red Bull system demands performance and results.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff (right) has confirmed that Andrea Kimi Antonelli (left) will succeed Lewis Hamilton next season.

“Of course, Max is up to it. Checo wasn’t up to it this year, but last year he did a good job to finish second and win us the constructors’ championship.

“We have to look further, we have great talent. We have Liam Lawson on the bench. We are not sure, looking at Colapinto, Bearman and Antonelli, if he is at that level? Time will tell. We have Isack Hadjar in Formula 2, who until recently was leading the championship.”

“We have some very promising talent that I am particularly excited about in F3 with Arvin Lindblad. We have a lot of depth in our junior program.”