George Russell offers blunt seven-word comment on Max Verstappen threats to quit F1

George Russell insists Formula 1 will survive without Max Verstappen, though he admitted he and other driver would miss competing against the four-time world champion. Verstappen is considering his future in the sport having made it clear he despises driving the new generation of F1 cars, which are giving him no joy behind the wheel.

While losing one of its most globally-recognisable stars would certainly be a blow to F1, Russell says the sport will be just fine if the Dutchman does decide to walk away. Asked if he feels F1 can survive without Verstappen, the Mercedes driver told reporters including Express Sport on Friday: "Formula 1 is bigger than any driver.

"But you wouldn't want to lose Max because I think we all enjoy racing against Max. It's just part and parcel of Formula 1. I didn't enjoy driving the '22 car when it was porpoising up and down, killing everybody's backs. The car was big, it was heavy. The high-speed corners, it wasn't very pleasant to drive around. But he didn't have the same complaint because he was winning.

"Now, the complaints that he has currently are different to the complaints of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren, because we're at the front end of the grid – and this is only natural. You do understand and recognise the frustration. But he's achieved what most drivers dream of, which is winning a championship. He's got four of them.

"At the end of the day, I guess you get to a point in life that there's not really much more for him to achieve in Formula 1. He's ticked all the boxes. Maybe he can go after the records but, knowing him as I do and knowing drivers who have won or achieved similar things at one point, you want to do what puts a smile on your face."

Verstappen has found more joy racing away from the F1 track in recent times, such as his weekend at the Nurburgring Nordschleife last month where he won a GT3 races, before the car was later disqualified for using one tyre set too many. He plans to compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours race in May, scheduled to take place between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix.

Russell admitted he would love to be able to do the same one day, but is focused first on achieving the level of success Verstappen has already enjoyed in F1. He added: "I can totally understand why driving the Nordschleife puts a smile on his face. I've driven hundreds of laps around the Nordschleife on the simulator.

"I would love to have that chance to go and race around the Nordschleife, but my goal now is to become a Formula 1 world champion. If I have four of them under my belt, I'd probably be doing the same. He's in a very different stage of his career. And yeah, I think you'd understand if he stayed and you'd understand if he went."