George Russell suggested Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 quit threat is linked to Red Bull’s struggles but admitted he would “understand” if the four-time world champion walked away.

Question marks were already lingering around Verstappen’s future before he sensationally claimed he could walk away from F1 at the end of the season after becoming disenchanted with the new 2026 rules.

The 28-year-old Dutchman’s comments came after a frustrating run to eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix, having already made several disparaging remarks about the new power unit regulations.

While Verstappen has insisted his frustrations are solely about his lack of enjoyment and not related to Red Bull’s poor performance so far in 2026, Russell thinks the two are linked.

Asked what he has made of Verstappen’s complaints, Russell, whose Mercedes team are already the championship favourites, told media including Crash.net: "Formula 1 is bigger than any driver. You wouldn't want to lose Max because 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. This is only natural and 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...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.”

Verstappen has been pursuing outings in GT racing amid his current dissatisfaction with F1, and is preparing to make his debut at the Nurburgring 24 Hours next month.

Russell said he can understand why Verstappen might want to seek fulfilment elsewhere after ticking “all the boxes” in F1.

"I guess you get to a point in life where there's not much more for him to achieve in F1. He's ticked all the boxes,” the Briton added.

“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.

"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 and 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.

“I think you'd understand if he stayed and you'd understand if he went.”