McLaren appear to be on course to win both Formula 1 championships for the first time since 1998.

After 10 races this season, McLaren already have a nearly 200-point lead over their nearest rivals, Mercedes, in the constructors’ championship.

Oscar Piastri has had an incredible third season in Formula 1 and leads the driver standings by 22 points from teammate Lando Norris, with four-time champion Max Verstappen their closest competitor.

It’s a remarkable effort considering that when Piastri joined the team, he was regularly having to fight hard just to progress through the first stage of qualifying.

Norris had to wait until the first race of his second season in F1 to finish on the podium and only achieved his first victory last year, but now both drivers are hoping to emulate McLaren’s last champion, Mika Hakkinen.

However, while their relationship appears to be steady for now, the Canadian Grand Prix showed a sign of how things could easily change as the competition heats up.

Norris crashed into Piastri during the closing stages of the race, ending his chances of scoring points.

Team principal Andrea Stella’s warning to Norris wasn’t heeded, and while the team are pleased with the calibre of drivers they had at their disposal, if tempers do start to flare up and one decides to move on, McLaren have already identified a potential ‘back-up option’.

Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

McLaren see Mercedes star George Russell as ‘back-up option’ if Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris leave

Both McLaren drivers are signed up to long-term deals, so it would need either Norris or Piastri to actively look for an alternative seat on the grid for any switch to happen.

Mercedes star George Russell is the strongest driver yet to put pen to paper on a new contract for 2026, and several teams are keeping a close eye on his situation.

A report from The Race has shared more details about the options potentially available to Russell.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has held informal chats with Russell over a move in case Max Verstappen leaves, but no contract offer has been made.

Aston Martin are also interested in Russell for 2026 as they look to mount their first championship challenge, but Mercedes still appears to be the Brit’s most likely destination.

The report from The Race suggests that Russell has been linked to McLaren as a ‘back-up option’ should either of their drivers leave.

Red Bull have been keen on Piastri and Norris in the past, and if Verstappen moves on, it would give either of them the chance to become an established number one driver elsewhere in the paddock.

They go on to say that Russell’s ‘priority’ is staying at Mercedes, and every indication is that a contract will eventually be signed.

George Russell having his best season in Formula 1 after winning the Canadian Grand Prix

Russell’s reputation is only increasing after a strong start to the 2025 campaign.

Previously described by Eddie Jordan as ‘world-class’, Russell now has four race wins to his name after dominating the Canadian Grand Prix.

He produced a mega lap in qualifying and held off Verstappen with ease throughout the race to take the chequered flag.

Russell joining McLaren seems very unlikely as Norris and Piastri appear to be navigating a tricky situation where both drivers are in contention to win the championship relatively smoothly.

However, there are still 14 race weekends to go, and Andrea Stella and Zak Brown will be desperate for them to get the team over the line to complete a clean sweep at this year’s FIA Prize Giving Ceremony.