Button ‘would love to see’ Verstappen and Russell team up at Mercedes

Jenson Button has admitted that he would “love” to see Max Verstappen and George Russell become team mates at Mercedes amid continued speculation about the Dutchman’s future, though the 2009 World Champion also suggested that changing teams could be “tricky” for Verstappen.

Talk surrounding a possible move to the Silver Arrows for Verstappen grew in Austria when Russell – whose current deal runs until the end of 2025 – told Sky Sports F1 that it was "only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing".

Facing questions about the situation one week later at the British Grand Prix, Verstappen remained tight-lipped as he stated: "I have nothing to add. What I said last week. Other people write stuff, that's great but it's not for me."

Former Team Principal Christian Horner – speaking before his exit from the team – also dismissed the speculation as “a lot of noise” as he reiterated that Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull through to the end of 2028.

During an appearance on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, Button was asked about how possible a straight swap between Verstappen and Russell might be, to which he answered: “I mean, possible.”

However, the Briton also acknowledged that a change of team could pose some challenges for Verstappen, who has spent all of his F1 career to date within the Red Bull fold.

“It's a tricky one for Max, because he's in a position where he's doing so well with Red Bull – they've given him so much over the years,” said Button. “They've designed this car around him, and he's extremely good at it. Nobody can match him in that car.

“They're so far off him. I mean, him qualifying third or fourth, and them qualifying 18th. If he goes to Mercedes, it's a different thing altogether. You know, that car is not going to be designed around him. So, is it going to work for him? I don't know.

“I mean, the best in the world should be able to make that work for him. It's a tough one on George, because George is at the top of his game. I think he's been so competitive. When you see what he did against Lewis [Hamilton] in the last few years, he is World Championship material.

“So, to replace Max with him, it just seems like a strange move. I know they've got the young Kimi Antonelli, who's 18, who could be a future star. But we still don't know that.

“Whereas George is there, he is good, and you need two very competitive drivers with this new era of the sport. Next year, obviously lots of regulation changes, car change, engine change. So, for me, George and Max would be a better line-up.”

Pushed on whether he could see such a partnership working – with Verstappen and Russell having shared some contentious moments on track in recent times – Button conceded: “I would love to see it!”

Tune into The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X weekdays from 6:30am – 10am and on Global Player.