George Russell says he would understand if Max Verstappen walked away from F1

LONDON – Championship favourite George Russell said he would understand if Max Verstappen walked away from Formula One in the sport's new era, and he would not be surprised.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, on what would have been a Saudi Grand Prix weekend but for the cancellation of April Middle Eastern races due to the Iran war, the Mercedes driver said his rival's current frustration was "only natural".

Red Bull's four-time world champion Verstappen has been a vocal critic of the new rules and engines, calling them "anti-racing", and has said he will be doing "stuff that makes me smile" in the downtime before F1's next race in Miami in May.

"Formula One's bigger than any driver," said Russell when asked if he felt there was a danger Verstappen could decide he'd had enough. 

"But you wouldn't want to lose Max because I think we all enjoy racing against Max.

"You do understand and recognise the frustration but he's achieved what most drivers dream of, winning a championship. He's got four of them. And 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 One.

"He's ticked all the boxes. Maybe he can go after the records but knowing him 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 is racing a Mercedes GT3 sportscar in qualifiers at the Nuerburgring Nordschleife this weekend as he works towards competing in a 24-Hour endurance race at the circuit next month.

"The 24h Nuerburgring is a race that’s been on my bucket list for a long time, so I’m really thrilled we can make it happen now," the Dutchman said in March.

Russell, who has driven many laps of the historic 'Green Hell' track, said it would put a smile on anyone's face.

"I would love to have that chance to go and race around the Nordschleife," he said.

"But my goal now is to become a Formula One world champion. If I have four of them under my belt, I'd probably be doing the same (as Verstappen). He's in a very different stage of his career and I think you'd understand if he stayed and you'd understand if he went."

Verstappen has been linked to Mercedes in the past, either as Russell's teammate or replacement, and he and the Briton have had at times an explosive rivalry.

Russell, who won the season-opening race in Australia and is second in the standings, has said he was sure to remain at Mercedes next season. REUTERS