I’d Love to See Verstappen & Russell Team Up at Mercedes: Button
The 2022 Formula One season has been a thrilling ride, with several teams and drivers battling it out for supremacy. Amidst the ongoing competition, rumors have been circulating about potential driver lineups for the upcoming seasons. Former F1 champion Jenson Button has weighed in on the topic, expressing his desire to see Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen and Mercedes driver George Russell team up at the Silver Arrows.
In a recent interview, Button shared his thoughts on the possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes. While acknowledging that it would be a challenging move for the Dutch driver, who is currently thriving with Red Bull, Button believes that it could be an exciting opportunity for both Verstappen and Russell.
“I’d love to see Max Verstappen and George Russell team up at Mercedes,” Button said. “If Verstappen goes to Mercedes, it’s a different thing altogether. The car isn’t going to be designed around him, it’s going to be designed around the team’s needs, and George Russell is an excellent driver, so it would be a great pairing.”
Verstappen has been one of the standout drivers of the 2022 season, with six wins and two pole positions to his name. He has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in F1, and his partnership with Sergio Pérez at Red Bull has been instrumental in the team’s success. However, Button’s comments suggest that he believes Verstappen could thrive in a new environment, working alongside a talented driver like Russell.
Russell, who is currently driving for Williams, has also had an impressive season, finishing in the points on multiple occasions and showing promising signs of development. His move to Mercedes would be a significant one, as he would be joining one of the most successful teams in F1 history. Button’s endorsement of the pairing suggests that he believes Russell has the potential to make a real impact alongside Verstappen.
Of course, there are many factors that would need to be considered before Verstappen would make the jump to Mercedes. Red Bull has been a dominant force in F1 in recent seasons, and Verstappen has been instrumental in their success. Button acknowledged that it would be a challenging move for the Dutch driver, but he believes that it could be an opportunity for growth and development.
“It’s a big decision for Max, because he’s doing well with Red Bull,” Button said. “But if he wants to try something new and take on a new challenge, then Mercedes could be an exciting opportunity for him. He’s still young, and I’m sure he’s got a lot of ambition and a lot of drive, so it would be interesting to see how he would adapt to a new team and a new car.”
Button’s comments have sparked a lot of debate among F1 fans, with some agreeing that Verstappen and Russell would make a strong pairing, while others believe that Verstappen would be leaving behind a successful partnership with Pérez. Regardless of the outcome, it’s clear that Button believes that both drivers have the potential to excel in different environments.
As the 2022 season draws to a close, the rumors and speculation surrounding the driver market will only continue to intensify. Will Verstappen make the move to Mercedes, or will he remain with Red Bull? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the 2023 season promises to be an exciting one, with plenty of twists and turns to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
