British Grand Prix | Venue: Silverstone | Dates: 4–6 July | Race Start: 15:00 BST Sunday
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live & Sports Extra 2 | Text updates via BBC Sport website & app

After an intense race in Austria where Lando Norris led a McLaren one-two finish with Oscar Piastri, Formula 1 now shifts focus to the iconic Silverstone circuit for round 12—the British Grand Prix.

In the lead-up, speculation is swirling: Could Mercedes really replace George Russell with Max Verstappen for the 2026 season?

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson addressed the rumour, raised by a fan named Ieuan, who suggested such a move would be incredibly harsh on Russell, especially given his near-flawless performances this year.

The answer: it’s not impossible.

Team principal Toto Wolff has reportedly shown interest in Verstappen before and is again exploring possibilities with the reigning world champion and his management this summer. Surprisingly, it was Russell himself who acknowledged this openly ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, stating it was “only normal” for discussions with top-tier talents like Verstappen to be taking place.

Russell has undeniably been strong this season. But Verstappen is widely considered the best driver on the grid, and Mercedes’ interest in him is both strategic and understandable.

Should Verstappen express willingness to leave Red Bull and join Mercedes, the next major question is who would partner him? Most signs point to 17-year-old rising star Kimi Antonelli, seen as a long-term prospect and team-building choice. Given the reportedly tense relationship between Russell and Verstappen, it’s unlikely the two could coexist as teammates.

Swapping out Russell would undoubtedly feel harsh—similar to Ferrari’s decision to drop Carlos Sainz in favour of Lewis Hamilton for 2025. Yet, from Mercedes’ perspective, aligning Verstappen with a young talent like Antonelli could represent a new era for the team.

As for Red Bull’s position, team boss Christian Horner remains firm that Verstappen is contracted through 2028. “The rest is just noise—not from him,” Horner said. Still, as Benson points out, the speculation isn’t baseless.

Hamilton’s Role at Ferrari: Can He Influence Strategy Decisions?

Another reader asked about Lewis Hamilton’s influence at Ferrari, specifically whether he’ll have the authority to make changes to the engineering structure—especially given how often he appears overruled during races.

Hamilton has repeatedly dismissed the idea of internal friction. After the Spanish Grand Prix, he addressed questions about tension with his engineer Riccardo Adami, saying:
“Our relationship is great, no problems. We’re constantly learning how to work better together.”

Team principal Fred Vasseur and insiders at Ferrari echo that view, framing any radio disputes as standard back-and-forth seen across the grid.

Hamilton has even pointed out how drivers like Max Verstappen sound frustrated over the radio too, but don’t attract the same attention or criticism.

During Sunday’s race in Austria, Hamilton questioned the timing of his pit stop, suggesting he stay out longer. However, deputy team principal Jérôme d’Ambrosio clarified the situation:

“It wasn’t a strategy disagreement,” he said. “It was just about staying out a few more laps. We went with the optimal plan based on race conditions. The McLarens were well ahead, and George [Russell] was too far behind to make any impact.”

He emphasized that Hamilton, after reviewing the data post-race, agreed the chosen strategy was the correct one.

“Drivers question things in the moment. That’s what racers do,” d’Ambrosio added. “And that’s exactly what we expect from them.”