Ferrari would choose Max Verstappen over Lewis Hamilton, claims George Russell

George Russell Suggests Ferrari May Regret Signing Lewis Hamilton Over Max Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated switch to Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season has so far failed to deliver the results both he and the Scuderia hoped for — and former teammate George Russell believes the Italian team may have made the wrong call. As the Briton continues to underperform in the scarlet red, George Russell hinted that Ferrari would likely prefer Max Verstappen alongside Charles Leclerc if given the choice.

Russell and Hamilton previously shared three seasons at Mercedes, from 2022 to 2024, following the younger Briton’s promotion to the Silver Arrows to replace Valtteri Bottas. During their time as teammates, Russell often proved to be a formidable match. He outqualified Hamilton in 39 of their 68 races and beat him to the chequered flag in 30 of the 58 Grands Prix both finished. Their points tally was also nearly identical, with Hamilton scoring 697 to Russell’s 695.

Now established as Mercedes’ lead driver for the 2025 campaign alongside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Russell is thriving in his new role. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, now 40, has found it difficult to settle into life at Ferrari. After eight rounds of the season, the seven-time world champion has yet to stand on the podium, with his best finish being a fourth place at Imola.

Charles Leclerc, by contrast, has been consistently ahead of his Maranello teammate in qualifying and on race day, winning their head-to-head battles 7–1 in both categories. Ferrari’s internal expectations for Hamilton appear to have been higher, and reports suggest there is growing disappointment within Maranello regarding his performance.

George Russell weighed in on the matter during a discussion with Mundo Deportivo, suggesting that Ferrari — and indeed any top team — would choose Max Verstappen over Lewis Hamilton in a heartbeat if the reigning world champion were available. He made it clear that he saw nothing disrespectful in team bosses like Toto Wolff expressing interest in the four-time Formula 1 world champion, stating that if he were in Wolff’s position and had the opportunity to choose any driver on the grid, Verstappen would be at the top of the list alongside himself.

The Mercedes man added that Ferrari, in his opinion, would also prefer to pair Max Verstappen with Charles Leclerc if given the chance. George Russell noted that even McLaren would face a difficult dilemma if they had the chance to sign the Dutchman, likely having to choose between dropping Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri — a decision no team would take lightly. In his view, Max Verstappen would be the first choice for every team on the grid heading into the 2026 F1 season.

Max Verstappen Expected to Stay at Red Bull Despite Contract Exit Clause

Although Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull runs through 2028, it contains an exit clause that could allow him to leave after the 2025 season if he falls outside the top three in the drivers’ standings. However, all signs currently point to the Dutchman remaining with the Milton Keynes squad, regardless of whether the clause becomes active.

Rumours linking the Dutchman with Aston Martin have cooled, in part due to concerns over how influential Adrian Newey will be in the team’s 2026 car development under the new Formula 1 regulations. While Aston Martin continues to build its long-term project, Max Verstappen appears unconvinced that their package will be strong enough to tempt him away from Red Bull.

Meanwhile, George Russell is expected to sign a new contract with Mercedes worth a reported £46 million over two years. His current deal expires at the end of the 2025 season, but his strong performances — including four podium finishes and a runner-up result in Bahrain — have all but secured his future with the Silver Arrows. Though the agreement has not yet been formally announced, it is understood to be in the final stages.