As Formula 1 enters its summer break, speculation around the driver market for 2027 is already starting to multiply with the very real possibility of a reshuffle of the grid.
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The popular British journalist Rachel Brookes, who recently left her presenter role at Sky Sports F1, believes that a major game of musical chairs could shake up the grid, notably with George Russell joining McLaren, Max Verstappen heading to Mercedes, and Oscar Piastri leaving Woking for Red Bull, no less!
Verstappen’s future continues to fuel discussions in the paddock. The four-time world champion reportedly has clauses allowing him to leave Red Bull, and his entourage has already been in talks with several teams.
Verstappen to Mercedes, Russell to McLaren?
While the Dutchman has recently been linked to both Mercedes and McLaren, Rachel Brookes thinks his destination will ultimately be the Brackley team: “I think Max will eventually go to Mercedes. Max will join Mercedes alongside Antonelli,” she said on the YouTube channel Essential F1.
In this scenario, George Russell would leave Mercedes despite his contract, which some rumors suggest could be challenged depending on the season’s results. The Briton would then form a 100% British duo at McLaren with his friend Lando Norris: “I potentially see McLaren with Norris and Russell. An all-British duo,” Brookes continued.
Russell’s arrival at McLaren would imply Oscar Piastri’s departure, whom the journalist imagines joining Red Bull alongside Isack Hadjar. The Australian has recently been linked to the Milton Keynes team in several rumors mentioning a more complicated relationship with McLaren: “Red Bull would be composed of Hadjar and Piastri,” she believes.
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Other moves in the second tier
On the other hand, Rachel Brookes does not foresee any changes at Ferrari, where Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton would keep their seats.
The journalist went even further in her predictions by seeing Fernando Alonso make a return to Alpine, Carlos Sainz joining Audi, Franco Colapinto getting a seat at Williams, while Leonardo Fornaroli would finally enter Formula 1, though she could not specify which team.
“I think Fernando will return to Alpine next year, Sainz will go to Audi, and Colapinto will come back to Williams. And I see Fornaroli arriving on the grid, even if I’m not yet sure of the team… Maybe Haas? That’s my scenario,” she concluded.
At this stage, however, it should be reminded that these are only the personal predictions of a paddock regular. While rumors about the futures of Verstappen, Russell, and Piastri continue to animate conversations, none of these potential transfers have been confirmed by the teams or the drivers concerned.
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