George Russell dealt Mercedes career warning as Max Verstappen lurks

Martin Brundle is "quite worried" for George Russell's future at Mercedes if Max Verstappen should decide to leave Red Bull. 

Russell is out of contract at the end of the 2025 season and team principal Toto Wolff flirted with the possibility of luring Verstappen from Red Bull last year.

Verstappen's current contract expires at the end of 2028, but given the uncertainties around Red Bull's form and its in-house engine project for next year, he could opt to leave. 

If that were to happen and Verstappen agreed to join Mercedes, the team would have to axe either Russell or his new team-mate Kimi Antonelli.

If Wolff was faced with that choice, Brundle believes it could be Russell who would make way. 

"George has been driving well all season, a little bit off the pace, but he's been getting the best out of it, and his young team-mate Kimi Antonelli is cruising up to his gearbox as well, keeping him on his toes," Brundle explained on Sky Sports F1. 

"It is a great driver line-up they have there, but George has just been out of frame, like in Suzuka, it was the top three and George has been out of frame, out of mind, but he has had a very solid season.

"If Max Verstappen was sprung onto the marketplace, I would be quite worried for George actually.

"Because Kimi is obviously their man for the future, and it is a lot of ifs and George is doing a great job as team leader, but Toto missed out on Max once, and I don't think he'll miss a second time if he gets the opportunity."

However, following the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend, a report emerged that claimed Russell is heading towards a Mercedes extension.

Such a deal would all but eliminate the short-term possibility of Verstappen moving to Mercedes, given rookie Antonelli is a long-term project for the German manufacturer.