Author: bang7

The TV presenter returned this morning after taking time out

Lorraine Kelly made her return to her self-titled ITV show today – but viewers are not too impressed.

The telly legend took time off from hosting the programme last week for half term, amid major cuts. Fellow ITV star Ranvir Singh stepped in and fronted the show instead.

And on Monday (June 9) Lorraine was back on her iconic chair, however, her return didn’t go down well with some people…

The TV star was back hosting her show after a week off (Credit: ITV)

Lorraine Kelly faces backlash as she returns to show

On Monday (June 9) Lorraine made her return to her TV show. The TV host chatted to the likes of Strictly star Ore Oduba and Matt Baker. But for some viewers, they were not impressed and soon rushed over to X to share their thoughts.

One person fumed: “The stupid giggling has started and trying to make an interview as safe and generic as possible. Ditch her bring in Christine please ITV,” referring to Christine Lampard.

Oh so Lorraine has decided to turn up for her own show for once? Wonders never cease!

Someone else said: “Aint missed Lorraine.”

A third person chimed in: “That giggling,” along with an eye-roll emoji.

Another viewer said: “Oh so Lorraine has decided to turn up for her own show for once? Wonders never cease!”

Lorraine’s show was hit with a huge axe (Credit: ITV)

ITV making major cuts

It comes after ITV announced “efficiencies” which will affect scheduling and production for several productions.

These include This Morning and Loose Women, as well as Good Morning Britain and Lorraine’s eponymously titled series.

The changes will see Lorraine’s runtime crunched from one hour to 30 minutes – and only airing across just 30 weeks of the year.

However, amid news of the changes, Lorraine herself is said to have declined the opportunity for her daytime show to be integrated into the broadcaster’s breakfast telly offering for the final half an hour of GMB.

Lorraine tipped to quit ITV self-titled show

Meanwhile, Bookies at Gambling Industry News exclusively told Entertainment Daily that the chances of Lorraine staying are slim. Currently, she has odds of 8/11 to remain on the show.

She’s at evens with the bookies when it comes to the chances of her continuing to host her show at ITV.

“Lorraine Kelly has been a fixture of ITV mornings for over two decades. But with the network reportedly eyeing a major overhaul of its daytime lineup, the odds have quickly turned against her staying,” spokesperson Jose Del Pozo said.

“She’s now 8/11 to leave her show – suggesting this could be the end of an era.”

‘I hit the ground hard’

GMB viewers this morning were worried for host Richard Madeley after his hand appeared in a cast.

For Monday’s show (June 9), Richard presented the ITV daytime programme alongside Susanna Reid.

As always, GMB covered a variety of topics. However, fans were distracted after Richard had clearly injured himself over the weekend…

Richard hosted GMB with his hand in a cast (Credit: ITV)

GMB host Richard Madeley reveals ‘painful’ injury

With his cast poking out of his sleeve, Susanna Reid couldn’t help but point it out herself, telling him: “Richard, you better explain.”

In response, Richard said: “I thought you were going to say did I have a good break!” While both laughing, Richard explained he had a “double fracture of the wrist”.

Richard, you better explain.

The 69-year-old presenter then went on to explain that the injury took place on Friday when he was walking “quite quickly down a steep pavement” in France.

“It flipped up and it flipped me forward and I thought, am I going to win or will gravity win? And gravity won, and I hit the ground hard. So yeah, I’ve got a double fracture and we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

When a concerned Susanna asked if he was feeling sore, Richard stated: “I’m not discussing the pain threshold, we just don’t think about pain.”

Richard’s accident took place in France (Credit: ITV)

‘Is he wanting to be Keith Lemon?’

Like Susanna, viewers were also concerned for Richard and questioned what happened.

“Is Richard channeling his inner Keith Lemon this morning with his bandage?” one person joked. Comedian Keith Lemon is notorious for wearing a white bandage across his hand.

“What’s happened to Richard? Is he wanting to be Keith Lemon?” a second asked.

“That’s what I thought,” another echoed.

“What’s happened to Richard’s wrist?” a fourth said.

‘Nice to have Richard back’

On the other hand (if you’ll pardon the pun), many were just happy to see Richard return to their screens.

“Glad Richard is back,” one user wrote on Facebook.

“Great Richard is back…some common sense and proper interviews,” another insisted.

“Nice to have Richard back,” a third expressed.

The Duchess of Sussex made appearances on the US gameshow

Before Meghan Markle became the Duchess of Sussex, she had a Hollywood career of her own, but prior to being Rachel from Suits, she was one of the briefcase girls from Deal or No Deal.

The gameshow is popular around the world, with many franchises across various countries. In the US version of the show, attractive women stood by the briefcases that hold a figure inside, and wait to open it on cue.

Meghan Markle has spoken out about her time on Deal or No Deal many times before, and received backlash over her take from the stint on the show, as well as making a sad confession over her daughter Lilibet. This is everything she’s said about her experience.

Meghan Markle was a briefcase girl on Deal or No Deal before she met Prince Harry (Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images)

Meghan Markle was on Deal or No Deal for season two

In the original series for the US, it featured 26 models who each held a briefcase, and they held the same number all season. Some models were on the show for a number of seasons, while others only stayed for a year.

Meghan Markle was one of the Deal or No Deal models before landing a role on Suits, during the second season of the CBS show. She would stand by briefcase number 24 in 2006 and 2007 for 31 of her total 34 episodes.

The gig came three years after she graduated from college with a joint-honours degree in Theatre and International Studies.

It’s not known how much she was paid, but royal author Sean Smith claimed in his 2020 book Meghan Misunderstood that they were paid £606 ($800) per episode.

Other famous faces who appeared on the show include Chrissy Teigen, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Claudia Jordan, and New Girl star Hayley Marie.

The host of the show, Howie Mandel, later said he ‘didn’t remember’ the royal on the show.

He told the Good Guys podcast: “To be honest, when she became the duchess or whatever – is she a duchess? When I heard that she was on ‘Deal or No Deal,’ I didn’t remember her. I have a picture of her in my office. She’s one of the girls standing behind me. But, I don’t remember a lot of them. You know, Chrissy Teigan was also a ‘Deal or No Deal’ model.”

The royal said she felt ‘objectified’ on screen (Credit: Cover Images)

Meghan Markle quit Deal or No Deal after feeling ‘objectified’

During an episode of her 2022 podcast Archetypes, the royal admitted why she chucked in the towel. Meghan Markle said she quit the reality-slash-gameshow Deal or No Deal after how she felt on stage.

Paris Hilton was a guest on the series, in an episode titled Breaking Down The Bimbo.

Meghan said: “While Deal or No, Deal wasn’t about acting, I still really grateful as an auditioning actress to have a job that could pay my bills. I had income, I was part of the Union, I had health insurance, it was great.”

The royal admitted: “I ended up quitting the show. I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage.

“I didn’t like feeling forced to be all looks and little substance. And that’s how it felt for me at the time being reduced to this specific archetype the word bimbo.

“It’s a word that is used to cut down a beautiful woman to kind of say well she’s beautiful, but maybe she’s slutty or maybe she’s silly or stupid.”

‘Pit in my stomach’

The mum-of-two went further, and said when she was on the show, she’d think about her internship from her college days. While studying at Northwestern University, she got a gig as an intern, thanks to a family connection, at the US Embassy in Argentina. The royal said she felt she was “being valued specifically for my brain”.

She added: “There was a very cookie-cutter idea of precisely what we should look like.

“It was solely about beauty, and not necessarily about brains.”

She went on: “I was surrounded by smart women on that stage with me, but that wasn’t the focus of why we were there and I would end up leaving with this pit in my stomach. Like I said, I was thankful for the job but not for how it made me feel which was not smart.”

Meghan claimed one Deal or No Deal producer couldn’t pronounce her surname Markle and would scream: “Mar-kell suck it in”.
Meghan Markle was on Deal or No Deal for 34 episodes during Season 2 (Credit: ZUMA Press/Cover Images)

‘You know what you’re signing up for’

However, a former Deal or No Deal model, Donna Feldman, slammed Meghan Markle’s claims. She told the New York Post: “You know what you’re signing up for when you’re hired as a ‘briefcase beauty’.

“I have gotten opportunities in my career based off the way I look, but it’s my brains, personality and work ethic that help seal the deal and get me the job, and get clients to continue to hire me on a regular basis.”

She added: “It’s up to a woman to decide what experience will empower her or use it as an excuse to seek attention.”

Chief content officer Lucas Green of Banijay, the production company behind the show, disagreed with the royal’s comments at the time as well.

He said the show was “constantly evolving” over the past decades, and they’re always working to modernise the format.

The Duchess of Sussex said she hopes her daughter ‘aspires higher’ (Credit: Cover Images)

Royal wants Princess Lilibet to ‘aspire higher’

Meghan Markle also revealed she wants her young daughter Lilibet to ‘aspire higher’ than Deal or No Deal.

The Duchess of Sussex told Spotify listeners she departed the ‘glamorous assistant’ role after 34 episodes as she was compelled to undergo spray tans and wear a padded bra.

Meghan also admitted she hopes her daughter – affectionately referred to as ‘Lili’ – will be regarded for her intelligence, rather than her appearance.

She added: “I want our daughters to aspire to be slightly higher. I want my Lili to want to be educated, and want to be smart and to pride herself on those things.”

The footballer describes himself as a “huge royalist”

As David Beckham reportedly gears up to receive a knighthood, an emotional interview from earlier this year has resurfaced, shedding light on his deep loyalty to Prince William and the major rift that reportedly exists between the Beckham family and Prince Harry.

According to a new report in The Sun, the football legend is listed in King Charles’ birthday honours list this year.

It’s thought David has longed for the honour for many years. As well as his incredible football career, David is known for his charity work.
David has always shared a close bond with Prince William (Credit: Cover Images)

Is David Beckham close to the royal family?

The football icon has never shied away from expressing his admiration for the monarchy.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, back in January, David described himself as a “huge royalist”.

He opened up about how much the royal family means to him and his loved ones.

“I always get emotional talking about anything that I do with our royal family,” David said. “I was brought up in a household that adored and loved everything that came with the royal family.”

Representing UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador at the prestigious forum, David spoke proudly about his involvement with royal-led initiatives and how they’ve impacted both his professional and personal life.

He even revealed how much it meant to his family, recalling the moment he was invited to represent King Charles’ foundation.

David revealed: “My mum burst into tears. She knows my grandparents would have been proud that I have played such an important role in the royal family and the charities that they have. Our king is an incredible man.”
David and Victoria Beckham attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Are David Beckham and Prince William friends?

David’s admiration extends especially to Prince William.

The former footballer shares a long-standing friendship with the Prince of Wales.

“Whenever the Prince of Wales sends me a message and says, ‘I need you to do this or be there,’ it’s always a yes,” David recalled.

From supporting veterans to fundraising for London’s Air Ambulance Charity, the former England captain confirmed he will always help.

He said: “To be involved in that has always been a yes for me.”
The footballer described himself as a “huge royalist” (Credit: Cover Images)

David Beckham’s ‘grudge’ with Harry

The Beckhams may feel unwaveringly loyal to Prince William. However, David and his wife Victoria’s relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has reportedly deteriorated.

The two power couples reportedly once shared a close bond.

But according to multiple sources, tensions erupted after the Sussexes allegedly accused the Beckhams of leaking stories to the press.

David and Victoria have strongly denied all accusations.

A source told In Touch that the fallout was serious and personal, especially for David and his sons.

“The problem is David and her boys are still holding a major grudge,” the insider revealed.

However, they added that Victoria is not as “opposed” to healing the relationship.

It seems Meghan feels the same, claiming “she genuinely wants to heal any lingering issues”.

She opted to keep their private life private

Many moons ago, Mancunian radio presenter, influencer and soap star Gemma Atkinson dated Cristiano Ronaldo.

He had just joined Manchester United. She had been with Marcus Bent, with whom she reignited a spark after she and Ronaldo parted ways.

In more recent news, Gemma and her partner, Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez, have welcomed a new dog into their family home.

It came after the deaths of not one but two of their previous pooches. The goldenoodle has settled in well, it seems.

Atkinson and Ronaldo dated during his first stint with Manchester United in 2007 (Credit: Splash News)

Soap star and Manchester United forward’s four-month fling

Bury-born actress Gemma Atkinson – on The 1% Club for Soccer Aid this weekend – dated Cristiano Ronaldo for four months back in 2007.

They were both in their early twenties at the time. Despite Ronaldo signing on with a major football club, their dates were relatively lowkey affairs.

Gemma told Manchester’s Key 103 Radio station years later that they once went to her house to drink mugs of tea and watch Only Fools and Horses.

“Genuinely!” she insisted. “I don’t know if he’s into it now but he seemed to enjoy it.”

Ronaldo reportedly used to enjoy British sitcom Only Fools and Horses (Credit: Piers Morgan Uncensored/YouTube)

Gemma Atkinson was offered ‘so much money’ to spill Ronaldo gossip to the press

Being such a high-profile figure brings media attention, which may explain opting for such a low-profile dalliance. It also explains the press’s interest in their relationship.

“When we did split up,” Gemma said, “I got offered so much money to speak about him. And I didn’t want that.”

The Express adds that, before her involvement with Ronaldo, Gemma had been dating Marcus Bent. They were together in 2006, and reignited their spark in 2008. They had a brief engagement, but separated by the end of the year.

Gemma and Gorka Márquez have been together for several years. She gave birth to their daughter Mia in July 2019, and four years later to their son Thiago. The couple have had their ups and downs, but say they are “unstoppable”.

The Prince and Princess of Wales live at Adelaide Cottage with their children

Prince William once made a confession about his sleeping arrangements with wife Kate Middleton.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, 43, live at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park with their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven.

Joining the family is their adorable dog Orla – and it seems the spaniel has a special sleeping place…

Kate and Prince William apparently have their dog Orla in bed with them (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s sleeping arrangements

During a visit to Duchy College Stoke Climsland in Callington, Cornwall, last October, Prince William, 42, made a revelation.

He was chatting to Louise Harland, who met the Prince of Wales with her dog Jacks.

Louise later told Hits Radio Cornwall: “[William] said that his little dog sleeps on the bed with them at night, with him and Kate.”

Awwwww!

Louise added: “[He was] absolutely in love with my little dog. He asked what breed he was and he’s never met one of those breeds – he’s a Cockerjack – so he’s a little bit of a unique combination.”

Kate and William live in Windsor with their three kids (Credit: Cover Images)
In the summer of 2020, Prince William and Kate got their pup Orla. Orla was given to the family by Kate’s brother James Middleton.

Just months after welcoming Orla into the family, William and Kate lost their other dog Lupo. Lupo was a wedding present to the couple from James again.

William said that his little dog sleeps on the bed with them at night, with him and Kate.

At the time, the couple said in a statement on social media: “Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away.

“He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much. – W & C.”

It’s unknown if Kate and William have separate bedrooms (Credit: Cover Images)

Do Prince William and Kate Middleton sleep in separate bedrooms?

There’s much speculation over whether royal couples share a bedroom. It comes after reports claimed that the late Queen Elizabeth II and husband Prince Philip had separate bedrooms.

However, it’s unclear if other royal couples follow in their footsteps. Prince William and Kate live at Adelaide Cottage which has four bedrooms with their three kids so it may be unlikely that they have separate rooms.

According to Prince Phillip’s cousin Lady Pamela Hicks, members of the upper class “always have separate bedrooms”.

She made the revelation to Sally Bedell Smith in her 2012 biography of the Queen, Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch.

Lady Pamela said: “In England, the upper class always have had separate bedrooms. You don’t want to be bothered with snoring or someone flinging a leg around. Then when you are feeling cosy you share your room sometimes. It is lovely to be able to choose.”

Meghan Markle shared the beautiful photo to Instagram recently

Prince Harry delivered a revealing message about his future, his children and life in America in a recent Instagram post, a royal commentator claims.

As Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle celebrated their seventh anniversary on May 19, royal correspondent Jennie Bond took stock of how she perceives the Sussexes’ 2025 is going.

Amid the former BBC journalist’s claim “crises come and go” for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Ms Bond believes the couple’s love endures all obstacles. But she also ponders whether Prince Harry may have “walked away” from the royals for good.
“Crises come and go” for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Jennie Bond said (Credit: Netflix)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tough 2025

Speaking to the Mirror, Ms Bond’s comments come after several up and down months for the Sussexes. Meghan received backlash from critics and viewers over her Netflix cooking show, With Love, Meghan, in March.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry lost his court appeal over the downgrade of his publicly-funded security. And plenty of royal family drama was also served up by his bombshell BBC interview in which he reflected on his father King Charles’ mortality.

“Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. But I would love reconciliation with my family,” Prince Harry said earlier this month.

He went on: “There’s no point in continuing to fight any more. Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has.

“He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff. It would be nice to reconcile.”

Prince Harry’s Instagram post with his children

In the following days, a black and white picture was uploaded to Meghan’s Instagram, portraying Prince Harry – holding hands with son Prince Archie while carrying Princess Lilibet on his shoulders – walking in the garden of their California home, in the opposite direction to the camera.

Ms Bond reckons this striking image could represent Prince Harry’s current view on his wider circumstances.

She interprets the post as signposting Prince Harry may be “walking away from his old life once and for all”.

Ms Bond said: “I think the recent post of Harry walking into the distance with his two children suggested that he’s walking away from his old life once and for all. And I very much doubt that there will be anniversary wishes winging their way from the UK to California.”

But she does think the couple may be tighter than ever due to the adversity they have faced.
Happy seventh wedding anniversary to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry! (Credit: YouTube)

Will Prince Harry remain in America?

Ms Bond went on: “They have certainly isolated themselves from their respective families so, having burned so many bridges, they must rely ever more heavily on one another. That is quite a weight of responsibility to bear, but I’m sure they both feel that it makes it even more imperative to work hard at their marriage and make it a success.”

Furthermore, she considered whether fallout with relatives on either side occupies much of the Sussexes’ time.

He returned to Mercedes after losing his Formula 1 race seat but Valtteri Bottas doesn’t plan to stick around for long, eyeing a 2026 seat elsewhere – or possibly an F1 exit altogether

Valtteri Bottas is back at Mercedes F1 as a reserve driver – for now(Image: Getty Images)

Valtteri Bottas insists “I’ve got a good few years in me” as he eyes a return to the Formula 1 grid. The Finn, 35, lost his place on the grid last December after three years at Sauber, with new parent company Audi wanting to pick its own racers.

So he returned to Mercedes, where he previously spent five years as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate and won 10 races, as a reserve. But Bottas is already fed up of being on the sidelines. “The first race was probably the hardest,” he told Mirror Sport at the start of our conversation in the Mercedes motorhome.

“I miss giving it all out there in the qualifying, being on the limit. I miss the racing as a whole and seeing the starting grid just before the race. It’s like, ‘Damn, I just want to be out there’.

“But I think it’s natural. I think also to me that confirms that I still feel like I’ve got a good few years of racing in me. And I still love it. I never doubted that I wanted to continue racing, but it just confirms that I still have a big hunger for it. I want to be back on the grid next year, basically. That’s the target.”

To that end, Bottas and his team have been assessing their options and one of them is clear and obvious – the newcomers. F1 will have 22 drivers on the grid next year with Cadillac joining as the sport’s 11th team and Bottas has been heavily linked with one of the two new seats available.

He confirms he has held talks with the American outfit: “The new team joining the sport is also exciting. I think Cadillac, what we’ve seen so far, looks a really cool and interesting project. As a driver, you can kind of start from scratch. Everything is new, so you can actually make a really big impact and, for me, that’s quite interesting. There’s been some [discussions]. But they are not in a rush and neither am I, really.”

Around a dozen drivers are thought to be keen on one of the Cadillac seats, but Bottas isn’t one to shy away from competition. He smiled: “My strength is still experience. I’ve been in three different teams, I’ve been part of winning five constructors’ championships. So I think that’s my strength, that I’ve been in an environment and seen what it actually needs for a team to be winning.”

If he doesn’t get onto the 2026 grid, he’d rather race elsewhere than stay on the fringes of F1. Bottas said: “F1 is the priority, but then I’ve got to have a plan B. And one solid option would be IndyCar – I’ve had some discussions, yeah. I think just over the years in this sport, I’ve learned you need to have a plan B. Until pen hits the paper here, nothing is confirmed and I saw it last year, how things went. So I’m not doing that mistake again.”

Valtteri Bottas spent five seasons as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate during a period of huge Mercedes success(Image: Getty Images)

Bottas has had an F1 career most could only dream of, with five teams’ title wins and 10 race victories – only Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso have better records on the current grid. But if he doesn’t get another shot, he admits he won’t be satisfied that he has done all he can in the sport.

He said: “No, [I’m] never happy. I mean, yes, if I look at the big picture, yes, I’ve achieved some cool stuff. But there’s still this hunger in me that I still want something more. That’s why I’m still here.”

Max Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, but it was confirmed by Helmut Marko that the 27-year-old has a release clause in his contract

Max Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028(Image: Getty Images)

Helmut Marko has already noted that Max Verstappen has a release clause in his contract, with the Red Bull driver enduring a tumultuous season. While the 27-year-old currently trails behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the Formula 1 standings, he’s unlikely to be going anywhere soon.

Verstappen, sitting third with only two wins and four podiums under his belt, is contracted with Red Bull until at least 2028. However, if he does miraculously fall down the pecking order of the team, Marko has already revealed that the Dutchman has an escape route – known colloquially as the ‘Marko clause’.

Speaking to Formel1.de back in 2022, he said: “Of course. If we experience a crash like in 2014, when we had absolutely no chance against Mercedes on the engine side, then it’s clear there is an escape clause.”

Nevertheless, it looks like Verstappen’s seat for the foreseeable future remains secure, according to a report from Autosport that claims that his release clause will be nullified if he’s within the top four in the drivers’ standings following the Austrian Grand Prix. With a comfortable lead over fifth-placed Charles Leclerc by a hefty 43 points, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that Verstappen will drop below that crucial threshold.

That’s because he would have to plummet in terms of placement at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix and the Austrian GP later this month, while Leclerc would have to secure back-to-back victories in both events to overtake him – a tall order given the Ferrari favourite’s lack of wins in 2025 so far.

That said, Verstappen will need to be on top form in Canada and Austria, considering the number of points he has accumulated on his super licence over the past year. The Red Bull ace was given three points for his collision with George Russell in Barcelona recently, bringing his total to 11 out of a possible 12.

Verstappen was frustrated when he was put on hard tyres as the Spanish GP restarted due to a late safety car being deployed to cover Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes. As Leclerc navigated Turn One of the 61st lap, Russell attempted to follow down the inside – but contact saw Verstappen briefly leave the track before returning ahead of the Mercedes driver.

Helmut Marko admitted Verstappen has a release clause(Image: Getty)

Race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase then instructed Verstappen to let Russell pass, an instruction met with disagreement from the driver. While it appeared as though Verstappen was allowing Russell to overtake on Turn Five, he then collided with his rival.

Despite both drivers emerging from the clash with minimal damage, Verstappen was slapped with a 10-second penalty for the tangle, leaving him to ultimately finish in a disappointing 10th place. After the race, Ralf Schumacher claimed that Verstappen might have deliberately collided with Russell to help activate his release clause.

With just one more penalty point in the next two races, Verstappen faces a one-race suspension, which could be a significant setback. Schumacher said: “You have to pay attention to why things like this happen and why he gets an unnecessary penalty if there is a clause. It’s a critical phase.”

Ralf Schumacher suggested Verstappen crashed into Russell with his release clause in mind(Image: Getty)

However, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner quickly dismissed Schumacher’s speculation as rubbish, staunchly backing his driver. He told BILD: “I haven’t heard anything so stupid for a long time. Max is a racer through and through. He always wants to win and would never act like that.”

Despite the current season’s ups and downs, it appears Verstappen is set to stay with the team until at least 2026, which may work in his favour given Russell’s likely continuation with Mercedes and Aston Martin’s focus on upcoming regulatory changes. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso is rumoured to hang up his helmet after the 2026 season – something which could potentially pave the way for Verstappen to switch teams.

This would give him the benefit of witnessing the unfolding of the regulations before making his decision. Earlier this year, a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport also suggested that Aston Martin were assembling a whopping £220million deal to pry him away from Red Bull.

George Russell’s Potential Shock Move to Aston Martin: What It Means for the Formula 1 Silly Season

In what could become one of the most jaw-dropping shifts in the 2025 Formula 1 driver market, rumors are mounting that George Russell, Mercedes’ chosen heir to Lewis Hamilton, could leave the Brackley squad for Aston Martin. The speculation comes just as the sport braces for sweeping regulations changes in 2026 and with Max Verstappen’s name suddenly tied to the merry-go-round as well, Formula 1 is bracing for a potential seismic shift.

How did we get here? What’s fueling these rumors? And what are the wider implications not just for Mercedes and Aston Martin, but for the whole competitive landscape in F1’s next era?

The State of Play: Russell, Mercedes, and a Vacuum at the Top

George Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 with a singular purpose: to become Lewis Hamilton’s successor and the face of the team’s next generation. Until recently, his place at Mercedes seemed ironclad—after all, Hamilton has already announced a blockbuster switch to Ferrari for 2025, leaving a leadership vacuum which Russell seemed primed to fill.

Yet, as of mid-2024, Russell’s contract extension is still unsigned. Publicly, both he and team boss Toto Wolff claim to be perfectly aligned. Behind closed doors, though, insiders hint that the negotiations are more complex than they appear, especially given the unique opportunities—and threats—presented by the impending 2026 technical overhaul.

Aston Martin’s New Ambitions: Why Russell Makes Sense

On the surface, a Russell-to-Aston-Martin move might seem lateral, or even regressive. But the Silverstone-based outfit is fundamentally different than the midfield team of just a few seasons ago. Under Lawrence Stroll’s ownership and with technical genius Adrian Newey believed to be joining as managing technical partner, Aston Martin is plotting a dramatic reimagining of itself as a title contender.

Honda is returning as engine partner in 2026, the team’s infrastructure is world-class, and the investment shows no signs of slowing. With Lance Stroll’s seat all but guaranteed, the team needs a leader for a new era. Fernando Alonso, as brilliant as ever, is approaching the end of his F1 career. Russell—a proven race-winner, team-builder, and a driver entering his prime—would be the ideal pillar to build around.

Max Verstappen: The Real Domino?

But the Russell saga cannot be fully understood without looking at Max Verstappen’s position. Toto Wolff has repeatedly praised Verstappen—unusual given their public spats and Verstappen’s aggressive rivalry with Mercedes over the years. The Austrian boss’s response to the recent Russell-Verstappen clash in Spain was telling—absent was the typical partisanship. Instead, Wolff sounded almost deferential toward Verstappen.

Rumors have long suggested Mercedes will make a play for Verstappen, should the Dutchman decide to leave Red Bull amid internal strife and the departure of Newey. It’s not inconceivable that Mercedes sees Verstappen as their ultimate post-Hamilton project, meaning Russell is allowed—or even encouraged—to seek pastures new.

Is Aston Martin Dreaming Bigger?

The intrigue grows when we consider repeated hints—both public and private—that Aston Martin might not be content settling for Russell alone. Early in 2024, rumors swirled that the British outfit had floated a $300 million offer to Verstappen. While officially denied, the wording was deliberately ambiguous. With the right technical foundation and enough cash, even contracts as ironclad as Verstappen’s can be broken.

Could Aston Martin be plotting an audacious double swoop for both Russell and Verstappen? It would require unfathomable resources and logistical gymnastics, but it would vault the team instantly to the front of the grid, both in terms of driver talent and fan fervor.

Russell’s Options: The Ultimate Power Move?

Hints that Russell is actively considering a departure abound. He was seen in deep conversation with McLaren and Alpine bosses during race weekends, and even held a reported meeting with Red Bull’s Christian Horner. Horner has since remarked that “We’d be foolish to overlook [Russell],” fanning the flames of speculation further.

If Russell stays at Mercedes, he’s betting on the team’s historic edge in nailing new regulations—remember the 2014 turbo hybrid era. Still, walking into what could become Verstappen’s team is a risk. If he joins Aston Martin, he’s putting his faith in Newey’s technical genius and the yet-unproven Honda partnership.

What If: Verstappen and Russell as Teammates?

It’s hard to imagine a more combustible—and box-office—duo than Russell and Verstappen in the same garage.

Their racing styles and personalities couldn’t be more different, and there’s no love lost after several on-track confrontations in recent seasons. The inevitable intra-team duels would recall Hamilton/Rosberg or even Prost/Senna from F1’s history. If the partnership thrived, Aston Martin would be the early favorite for the 2026 titles. But if it imploded? The drama would be off the charts, making for unmissable, high-stakes Grand Prix weekends.

Mercedes, Red Bull, and the Brave New World of 2026

On Mercedes’ side, any willingness to let Russell walk must mean they’re confident in landing Verstappen or an equivalent megastar. There are whispers they’re already ahead in 2026 engine development, mirroring their early-2010s turbo dominance.

Red Bull, meanwhile, risks being caught in transition. With Adrian Newey allegedly headed to Aston Martin and Honda gone after 2025, their partnership with Ford is unproven, and Verstappen’s future looks less certain.

F1’s Next Golden Era?

With all the ingredients—a reg shuffle, technical overhaul, new power units, and huge driver moves—the sport is poised to enter a new golden era. If Aston Martin secures even one of Russell or Verstappen, the experiment will be fascinating. Land both, and the team might become the catalyst for the greatest F1 rivalries in a generation, with Mercedes and Red Bull forced to respond or risk falling behind.

So, should Russell stay loyal to Mercedes or gamble on the Aston Martin revolution? And what happens if Verstappen joins him in a green suit? One thing’s certain: 2026 is shaping up to be F1’s most unpredictable season in years, with all bets off and everything to play for.