Title: I’d Love to See Verstappen & Russell Team Up at Mercedes: Button
In the world of Formula 1, team dynamics and pairings can make or break a season. Former F1 champion Jenson Button has expressed his desire to see Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen join forces with Mercedes’ George Russell, creating a potentially explosive partnership on the grid. In a recent interview, Button discussed the idea of Verstappen making the switch to Mercedes, and what it could mean for the Dutch driver’s career.
Verstappen has been a force to be reckoned with in F1, consistently delivering strong results and pushing his Red Bull team to new heights. However, Button believes that joining Mercedes could be an attractive proposition for the 24-year-old, particularly when paired with the talented Russell.
“It would be great to see Max and George together at Mercedes,” Button said in an interview. “If Verstappen goes to Mercedes, it’s a different thing altogether…The car isn’t going to be designed around him.”
Verstappen has been a key figure in Red Bull’s success, helping the team to secure multiple championships and podiums. His partnership with Sergio Perez has been a fruitful one, and it’s unclear whether the team would be willing to part ways with their star driver. However, Button’s comments suggest that he believes Verstappen could thrive in a new environment, particularly with the resources and expertise available at Mercedes.
Russell, meanwhile, has been steadily improving his skills behind the wheel of the Mercedes W12. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in qualifying, and has been praised for his consistent performance. A pairing with Verstappen could bring out the best in both drivers, with the Dutchman’s experience and skill complemented by Russell’s youthful enthusiasm and talent.
Button’s comments are not without merit, however. Verstappen has become accustomed to the Red Bull car, and adapting to a new team and car could be a challenge. Mercedes has a reputation for being a more conservative outfit, with a focus on reliability and consistency rather than pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with the car. This could make it difficult for Verstappen to adapt, particularly if he’s used to the more aggressive setup at Red Bull.
Despite this, Button remains optimistic about the potential for a Verstappen-Russell pairing. He believes that the two drivers would work well together, and that their differing styles would complement each other.
“I think they would be a great pairing,” Button said. “George is a very talented driver, and he’s got a lot of potential. If you put him alongside someone like Max, who’s got a lot of experience and is very talented in his own right, I think they would push each other to be better.”
Of course, this is all speculation at this point, and it’s unclear whether either Verstappen or Russell will be making a move in the near future. Red Bull has a contract with Verstappen that runs until the end of the 2028 season, and it’s unlikely that they would be willing to let him go unless an extremely attractive offer came along. Mercedes, meanwhile, has a strong lineup with Lewis Hamilton and Russell, and it’s unclear whether they would be willing to disrupt that balance.
Regardless, Button’s comments have sparked an interesting debate about the potential for a Verstappen-Russell pairing at Mercedes. Whether or not it ever comes to fruition, it’s clear that both drivers have the potential to be world-beaters, and a partnership between them could be a thrilling prospect for F1 fans.
