As rumours swirl about Max Verstappen’s talks with Mercedes, George Russell has allegedly warned insiders that Toto Wolff may be preparing to sideline Kimi Antonelli – a move that could destroy team morale and damage trust among the young talents waiting for their chance.

Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are facing doubt over their futures with the team beyond 2025.

Both drivers are out of contract at the end of the season, with rumours swirling about whether they will receive contract extensions. Russell has been bombarded with questions at the British Grand Prix regarding his future, especially when Mercedes could make a big move in the F1 driver market.

Mercedes are in talks with Max Verstappen as the Dutchman is beginning to consider his future at Red Bull. Despite having a contract until 2028, Verstappen can activate an exit clause based on his championship position; he is 61 points behind Oscar Piastri heading into Silverstone.

Verstappen made contact with Wolff over a potential deal at the Austrian GP, with the Mercedes boss confirming talks were ongoing that weekend. Verstappen has ‘said yes’ to Mercedes, although it is not clear what the parties have agreed on.

What is also not clear is which Mercedes driver will lose their seat if the four-time champion does make the switch from Red Bull.

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George Russell believes Toto Wolff will put him alongside Max Verstappen at Mercedes, not Kimi Antonelli

Some Mercedes staff think Verstappen and Russell as teammates would be ‘mayhem’, given the drama between the drivers on and off the track in recent months. While it would be a very strong driver pairing, there are concerns within the team.

Mercedes have identified a ‘risk’ with signing Verstappen as it could be damaging for their young driver program. It would hamper any talent from within the team from making a step up to F1, and it could be especially harmful for Antonelli.

The Italian has been hugely impressive for the Silver Arrows thus far in 2025, having grabbed his first pole position in the Sprint race in Miami and his first podium in Canada. Antonelli is highly rated at Mercedes, but Verstappen’s talks with the team could spell bad news for the 18-year-old.

In a report from The Times, Russell ‘believes’ that he will be driving alongside Verstappen, rather than Antonelli, if he were to join from Red Bull.

Verstappen is not expected to move until 2027, as he wants to assess the pecking order in 2026 after the new technical regulations come into effect. Wolff is ‘open to the idea’ of Verstappen joining in 2028 and waiting until his Red Bull contract expires.

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What could be the plan for Kimi Antonelli if he does leave Mercedes?

Mercedes have been warned they will ‘ruin’ Antonelli if they sign Verstappen. The 18-year-old is showing brilliant progression as a rookie already, as he sits seventh in the standings after 11 races.

Mercedes could send Antonelli to Alpine if Verstappen joins the team sooner than expected. The Enstone outfit are weighing up their options for 2026 amid the uncertainty surrounding Franco Colapinto’s contract.

Alpine could be a ‘conceivable’ option for Russell, reckons Ralf Schumacher, if it is he who loses his seat at Mercedes. The Brit has been linked with several teams up and down the paddock, with Aston Martin and Cadillac also mentioned.

Mercedes could put Antonelli on the bench for a season, copying what Fernando Alonso did after his rookie season in F1. The Spaniard signed as a Renault reserve driver from Minardi in 2002, before returning to the grid the following year.