Ferrari have set their sights on Mercedes driver George Russell as a potential signing for the 2027 campaign, Italian media have revealed.
The Scuderia's hierarchy reportedly hold the 27-year-old Briton in considerable esteem and view him as a future option for their driver lineup.
Italian publication Corriere della Sera has disclosed that Maranello executives are contemplating an unexpected approach for Russell.
The Mercedes star recently extended his commitment to the Silver Arrows through a deal that could stretch to 2027, contingent upon achieving specific performance benchmarks during the 2026 campaign.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were team-mates at Mercedes
| GETTYRussell's impressive form this season, including triumphs in Canada and Singapore, has evidently captured Ferrari's attention.
Hamilton's inaugural campaign with the Prancing Horse has fallen dramatically short of expectations.
The 42-year-old knight has endured a barren spell spanning twenty races without achieving a podium position, currently languishing in sixth place with 146 points.
This lacklustre performance has seen Hamilton claim an unwelcome distinction as the Ferrari driver with the longest podium drought, surpassing a record that had stood for four decades.
His struggles have raised serious doubts about his prospects of securing contract renewal beyond 2026.
George Russell's future with Mercedes is still up in the air | Getty The seven-time world champion trails teammate Charles Leclerc by 64 points, with the Monegasque having secured seven podium finishes this term.
Russell's prospective transfer hinges significantly on Mercedes' pursuit of four-time champion Max Verstappen.
Should the Brackley outfit succeed in luring the Red Bull star for 2027, Russell would find himself surplus to requirements despite his recent contract renewal.
The British driver's agreement with Mercedes incorporates provisions that would extend his tenure through 2027, though this depends entirely on fulfilling predetermined performance criteria next season.
His current fourth-place standing in the championship underscores his value as a potential Ferrari recruit.
This complex driver market scenario presents Ferrari with an intriguing opportunity to secure one of Britain's most promising talents.
Leclerc's commitment to Ferrari faces mounting uncertainty as the team's championship drought extends into its seventeenth year.
Lewis Hamilton looks set to leave Ferrari next year
| ReutersThe Monegasque driver's representatives have reportedly engaged in discussions with Aston Martin, Mercedes and McLaren regarding potential opportunities elsewhere.
Ferrari's last drivers' and constructors' titles came in 2007 and 2008 respectively, a barren spell that has tested the patience of their star drivers.
George Russel could be Lewis Hamilton's replacement at Ferrari
|REUTERS
Should both Hamilton and Leclerc depart, the Italian giants would face a complete overhaul of their driver pairing.
Despite his recent struggles, Hamilton maintains his determination to pursue an eighth world championship, recently declaring he has no intention of "stopping anytime soon."