George Russell Foresees Potential Verstappen Sabbatical Amid 2026 F1 Uncertainties

George Russell anticipates that Max Verstappen might unexpectedly take a break from F1 racing in 2026.

George Russell expressed that he wouldn't be shocked if Max Verstappen chose to step away for a year in 2026 to evaluate his Formula 1 prospects.

Speculation about Verstappen's career in Formula 1 has been rampant since the year began, especially with the controversies surrounding Red Bull.

The individual from the Netherlands has become a strong candidate for a move to Mercedes, with Toto Wolff openly expressing his desire for Verstappen.

Although Verstappen's contract runs through 2028, it is believed that there are several termination options available to him within the agreement.

An additional aspect to take into account is the introduction of fresh regulations in 2026, marking the inaugural occasion for Red Bull to construct their own power unit.

Mercedes has yet to make a decision regarding who will team up with Russell in 2025 after Lewis Hamilton's surprising move to Ferrari.

Russell is receptive to the idea of teaming up with Verstappen if Mercedes succeeds in securing F1's leading driver – however, he hinted that the triple world champion could consider taking a break.

"Russell conveyed to the Daily Mail that he is open to the idea of joining forces with Max, just as he is open to Max becoming part of their team.

"I faced the immense challenge of coming onboard Mercedes to compete against the statistically most accomplished driver ever, both in qualifying and during races, and I managed to hold my own against him, which is the best I could do.

"Max has the option to pause his career in 2026 to evaluate which team stands out as the strongest. It wouldn’t shock me if he chose this path. Keep in mind, 2026 is unpredictable. Therefore, it's impossible to foresee the outcome."

In the middle of the previous year, Russell committed to a long-term agreement with Mercedes, ensuring his stay with the team until at least the close of 2025.

Since Russell became a part of the team in 2022, Mercedes has seen a significant drop in their performance. Despite this, the British driver continues to show unwavering commitment to the Brackley-based team.

"I'm a devoted individual, and Mercedes has provided me with a chance, however, my goal is to become a World Champion. Currently, that's not where we stand," he further stated.

"Just twelve months back, McLaren found themselves at the bottom of the pack in terms of speed, yet they've impressively risen to become the fastest team now

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