Although the 2026 Formula 1 season is still two years away, the transfer market is already heating up with bold speculations. One of the most intriguing rumors centers around Mercedes driver George Russell potentially making a surprise move to Aston Martin.
According to The Times, Aston Martin has shown serious interest in the 27-year-old British driver, despite already having both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll under contract through 2026. This unexpected development suggests the Silverstone-based team might be preparing for a significant shake-up.
While Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has publicly claimed that extending Russell’s contract is merely a "formality," the delay in finalizing the deal has raised questions. The Times speculates that Mercedes might be keeping their options open—possibly to make room for reigning world champion Max Verstappen, should he depart Red Bull at the end of the season.
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft echoed these claims during the F1 Show, stating, “The word I'm hearing is that Aston Martin is very keen on George Russell and would like to bring him on board in the future. If Verstappen does leave Red Bull, Russell might not be the automatic replacement.”
Russell has been a consistent performer for Mercedes over the past three seasons and was viewed as a cornerstone of the team’s future. However, if Verstappen becomes available, it could dramatically shift the dynamics. For now, it remains unclear who Russell would replace at Aston Martin should the move materialize.