George Russell Open to Teaming Up with Max Verstappen for 24-Hour Race

George Russell has confirmed he would be open to partnering with Max Verstappen in a future 24-hour endurance race, despite their turbulent history in Formula 1. The Mercedes driver pointed to Verstappen's impressive performance at the Nürburgring 24 Hours—where he nearly won before a driveshaft failure ended his bid—as evidence of the Red Bull star's versatility. Russell stated he is 'up for it' and always eager to compete against the best, adding that he felt the same way when he was teammates with Lewis Hamilton.

Why it matters:

Russell's willingness to join forces with Verstappen underscores the deep respect that exists between two fiercely competitive drivers, even after on-track clashes. A future collaboration could not only produce a formidable endurance racing duo but also signal a thaw in their personal rivalry. Their relationship reached a low point at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix when contact between them cost Verstappen a time penalty and played a pivotal role in him missing out on a fifth consecutive F1 drivers' title. Since then, both have been linked as potential teammates at Mercedes, though Russell currently trails current teammate Kimi Antonelli in the 2026 standings.

The details:

• Speaking ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell told media including RacingNews365: 'Never say never. Max is obviously one of the best. I'd relish the opportunity to always go against the best. That's how I felt when I was team-mates with Lewis, and still how I feel about Max.'
• The pair's Spanish GP clash remains a sore point, but Russell insists he respects Verstappen's talent and sees him as a benchmark.
• Currently, Russell trails Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli by 20 points in the 2026 drivers' championship, but remains focused on his own performance.
• Verstappen's Nürburgring 24 attempt saw him lead late before a mechanical failure, highlighting his adaptability beyond F1.

What's next:

No concrete plans exist for a joint endurance effort, but Russell's openness keeps the possibility alive. For now, both drivers are focused on the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, where they will resume their on-track rivalry. Any future collaboration would likely be discussed during the off-season, but the prospect of two of F1's biggest talents sharing a car already stirs excitement.