Red Bull have reportedly held informal talks with George Russell over a potential move away from Mercedes.
The British driver's future is uncertain as his contract with the Silver Arrows expires at the end of this year.
Russell, 27, could be one of several drivers on the move as the Formula 1 paddock braces for potential changes.
The talks come as speculation mounts about the future of various drivers, including Red Bull's own Max Verstappen.
F1 news: Red Bull have reportedly held informal talks with George Russell over a potential move away from Mercedes
REUTERS
Russell was promoted to Mercedes' main driver this year following Sir Lewis Hamilton's departure from the team.
He joined Mercedes three years ago and is now approaching the end of his current deal.
According to a report from The Race, there has been little activity from Mercedes regarding an extension to Russell's contract.
Red Bull chief Christian Horner appears to have capitalised on this uncertainty by initiating informal discussions with the British driver.
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F1 news: George Russell is out of contract at the end of the season amid uncertainty over his Mercedes future
GettyReports suggest Horner could be lining up Russell as a potential replacement for Verstappen.
Despite being contracted to Red Bull until 2028, the four-time world champion's future remains uncertain.
This uncertainty stems from an exit clause in Verstappen's contract that could be activated later this year.
Russell's availability at the end of this season makes him an attractive option for teams looking to secure top talent.
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Verstappen has been linked with a move to Mercedes, with team principal Toto Wolff reportedly a big admirer of the Dutch driver.
Aston Martin and McLaren are also said to be interested in securing Verstappen's services.
However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has downplayed speculation about his star driver leaving.
"I think noise is exactly the right word to describe it, there's been a lot of noise outside of the team," Horner said.
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"Inside of the team Max reaffirmed his commitment yesterday, we're focused on making the car go faster."
Horner added that Max is "a committed part of team" and dismissed the rest as "speculation and hearsay".
The potential moves involving Russell and Verstappen could trigger a significant reshuffling of the driver market.
F1 news: Max Verstappen's long-term future at Red Bull is currently up in the air
GETTYWith Russell's Mercedes contract expiring and Verstappen's exit clause potentially coming into play, the 2025 season could see major changes across top teams.
The coming months will likely bring further developments as teams look to secure their driver lineups for next year.
Verstappen could also take a year out, with the Red Bull star set to become a father for the first time.
