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Formula 1: New target emerges for second Audi seat in 2026

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Formula 1: New target emerges for second Audi seat in 2026

As a long-time Formula 1 enthusiast with a soft spot for underdog stories, I find myself intrigued by the potential George Russell move to Audi in 2026. Having witnessed Russell’s impressive performance alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, it would be a pity to see him lose out on an opportunity to shine as a lead driver.

I, Carlos Sainz Jr., have been under the keen observation of Audi for more than a year now. They seem to be considering me as one of their potential drivers once the new Formula 1 regulations take effect, which is expected to be two seasons down the line.

2024 is a big year for me as a gamer, seeing that Lewis Hamilton’s taking over at Ferrari. The rumors about me possibly moving to Sauber, the team Audi’s planning to dominate from 2025, are swirling around like a hot topic in my gaming group chats!

As a devoted follower of Formula 1, I’ve been eagerly awaiting updates about the teams’ lineups for next season. Exciting news has surfaced regarding Nico Hulkenberg joining Sauber from Haas. However, there’s been no word yet on Carlos Sainz’s future with the team. Now, it seems that he’s poised to make a move to Williams instead.

2025 saw several opportunities open up for Sainz, one of which was from Audi and Alpine. Additionally, there were rumors connecting him to Mercedes as Hamilton’s successor and Red Bull as a replacement for Sergio Perez. However, he made the decision to join the team based in Grove instead, leaving Audi yet to find a driver for their second seat.

It’s been widely anticipated that Audi might have to bring on their preferred drivers for 2026 a bit earlier than planned due to the highly competitive driver market this year. The concern is that if they delay making a move and finalizing their decision, they may miss out on securing the drivers they want, especially since the Sauber takeover process might not be completed soon.

However, it seems that delaying matters can sometimes prove beneficial, as George Russell of Mercedes is now a strong contender to join the team in 2026. This situation potentially allows Sauber to keep Valtteri Bottas on their team in 2025.

George Russell to Audi?

Until 2026, Russell can’t switch to Audi because he’s tied up with Mercedes. However, since Audi hasn’t been able to get Sainz on board, there are reports that George Russell, a 26-year-old British driver, might be considered for the open spot at Hulkenberg.

It might appear puzzling that George Russell is leaving Mercedes, considering their recent surge in performance. Similarly, it seems unusual for Mercedes to let Russell go, considering his strong performances against Lewis Hamilton since he joined the team in 2022.

It’s clear now that Team Principal Toto Wolff appears ready to go to great lengths to recruit three-time consecutive world champion Max Verstappen. Some sources even suggest that Mercedes is prepared to boost Verstappen’s current Red Bull earnings significantly in order for this transition to materialize.

Despite Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract extending until the year 2028, there are rumored provisions that enable him to exit the team should some crucial team members decide to part ways.

There’s increasing talk that Max Verstappen might activate certain contract clauses, considering the recent developments at the Milton Keynes team following the accusations against team principal Christian Horner in February. Additionally, it’s well-known that there has been a disagreement between Horner and Max’s father, Jos Verstappen.

Although Max hasn’t explicitly mentioned his intention to switch to Mercedes, he’s been firm about his desire to race for a top-tier team. Notably, Mercedes has been making notable progress against Red Bull lately.

Should Max Verstappen choose not to move to Mercedes beyond the 2024 season, it seems highly probable that the Silver Arrows might opt for Kimi Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement in their esteemed Formula 1 lineup – a driver they seem eager to elevate from lower ranks.

However, should the 26-year-old Dutch player consider a transfer after 2025 when the new rules take place, there’s a possibility that Russell might find himself as the one not included in the team.

For the two-time Grand Prix champion, joining Audi could serve as a satisfying alternative, as the team intends to challenge for strong performances right off the bat.

Next year, when Hulkenberg, who will be turning 38, has been brought on board to provide seasoned guidance for the team during their transition period in Formula 1, it’s likely that George Russell will have the chance to step up and steer the team towards its future.

If Max Verstappen doesn’t choose to depart from Red Bull before the 2026 rules take effect, there’s no reason to doubt that Mercedes will extend Lewis Hamilton’s contract with them. However, since Verstappen hasn’t shared his intentions publicly, it remains a significant uncertainty.

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2024-08-03 13:32

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