Mercedes driver George Russell could emerge as a potential target for Ferrari when either Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc leave the team, it has emerged.<\/p>\n
It comes after a report this week claimed that the team has decided against offering Hamilton an extension when his current contract expires.<\/p>\n
George Russell \u2018highly regarded\u2019 by Ferrari top brass<\/p>\n
Mercedes announced last month that Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will remain with the team for the F1 2026 season, ending months of speculation over the British driver\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
The team had been heavily linked with a move for Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver and reigning four-time world champion, prior to this year\u2019s summer break.<\/p>\n
Russell revealed at June\u2019s Austrian Grand Prix that negotiations between Verstappen and Mercedes were \u201congoing\u201d and were responsible for a delay on a resolution to his own future.<\/p>\n
George Russell vs Andrea Kimi Antonelli: Mercedes head-to-head scores for F1 2025<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0F1 2025: Head-to-head qualifying statistics between team-mates<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0F1 2025: Head-to-head race statistics between team-mates<\/a><\/p>\n With Mercedes opting against specifying the exact length of Russell\u2019s new deal, it had been suggested that the team could look to renew its interest in Verstappen next year ahead of the 2027 season.<\/p>\n As reported by PlanetF1.com<\/a>, however, Russell clarified his position earlier this week by confirming that his contract contains a clause set to trigger an automatic extension for 2027 if he meets certain performance targets next season.<\/p>\n A report by Italian publication Corriere della Sera has claimed that Ferrari could emerge as a potential alternative destination for Russell if his place at Mercedes comes under threat.<\/p>\n It is said that Russell is \u2018apparently highly regarded at the top\u2019 at Ferrari having established himself as one of the best drivers on the grid since joining Mercedes from Williams at the start of 2022.<\/p>\n Russell, 27, collected his fifth career victory at last month\u2019s Singapore Grand Prix having claimed his first win of the F1 2025 season in Canada in June.<\/p>\n The news of Ferrari\u2019s reported interest in Russell comes amid doubts over the futures of both Hamilton and Leclerc.<\/p>\n A report earlier this week claimed that Ferrari will not offer Hamilton a new contract<\/a> when his existing deal expires.<\/p>\n The 40-year-old has struggled across his first season at Maranello in 2025, failing to register a podium finish for his new team in 20 appearances so far.<\/p>\n It is widely believed that the multi-year contract Hamilton signed to join Ferrari from Mercedes \u2013 worth a massive $57million<\/a>\u00a0(\u00a343.3m\/\u20ac49.2m) according to PlanetF1.com estimates \u2013 is due to expire at the end of 2026.<\/p>\n However, it was claimed in August by\u00a0Italy\u2019s La Gazzetta dello Sport that Hamilton\u2019s contract contains an option<\/a> \u2013 purely on his side \u2013 allowing him to extend his deal until the end of 2027.<\/p>\n If true, the clause would give Ferrari \u2018little say\u2019 on Hamilton\u2019s future even if he continues to underperform in 2026.<\/p>\n However, it is thought unlikely that Hamilton would want to continue in 2027 if his on-track struggles persist for another season.<\/p>\n Russell and Hamilton spent three seasons as teammates at Mercedes between 2022 and 2024, with the former claiming three victories to the latter\u2019s two. Russell also outscored Hamilton in 2022 and 2024.<\/p>\n More on George Russell and Mercedes from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 George Russell news<\/a><\/p>\n