'Never say never' - Russell open to Verstappen Nürburgring partnership

George Russell has said he would "relish the opportunity" to partner Max Verstappen at the Nürburgring 24-hour race, refusing to rule out a future team-up. Verstappen's debut at the Nordschleife ended early with a driveshaft failure while leading, leaving him determined to return.

Why it matters:

The prospect of two of F1's most talented drivers sharing a car in endurance racing underscores Verstappen's growing influence beyond Formula 1 and the increasing appeal of GT racing among top-tier drivers.

The Details:

• Russell told GPblog: "Never say never. Who knows? Max is obviously one of the best. I would relish the opportunity to go against the best."
• Verstappen's Nürburgring 24h debut saw him lead by 30 seconds before a driveshaft failure with three hours remaining. The team finished P38 after repairs.
• The Red Bull driver called it "unfinished business" and wants to return, calendar permitting.
• Verstappen responded to Russell's comments, noting they are in different stages: "I'm in a different situation with my GT3 project. His focus is fully on F1."
• Other F1 drivers, like Norris, have supported Verstappen's endurance outings, while N24 winner Maro Engel praised his impact on GT racing.

What's next:

Verstappen aims to return to the Nürburgring for another attempt at victory. Russell, while focused on his F1 title ambitions, left the door open for a future partnership. With the 2026 F1 calendar tightening, any collaboration remains speculative but tantalizing.