George Russell reacts to Max Verstappen retirement rumours: 'He didn't complain when he was winning'

Mercedes driver George Russell has offered his honest thoughts on Max Verstappen’s recent hints at retiring from the sport.

Mercedes duo Kimi Antonelli and Russell have enjoyed a positive start to the 2026 campaign, with the duo in first and second place in the standings ahead of the sport’s return in Miami on May 3.

Antonelli has secured three podiums, including two wins – in China and Japan – while Russell finished fastest in the season opener in Australia, as well as finishing on the podium in Shanghai.

Meanwhile, four-time world champion Verstappen has made it clear that he is not enjoying racing at the moment, as he sits ninth in the championship, with the Red Bull driver failing to secure a single podium.

The Dutchman’s poor performances have prompted him to voice his concerns about the 2026 regulation changes, with Verstappen comparing F1 to Formula E “on steroids”, while also saying it is less “fun”, “anti-racing” and like “playing Mario Kart”.

The 28-year-old admitted that he is “not enjoying the sport” following the Japanese Grand Prix.

Asked if he was going to "walk away from F1 at the end of the year," Verstappen replied: "That's what I'm saying. I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock.”

And while F1 takes a break due to the cancellations of the Saudi and Bahrain Grands Prix, speculation continues to circulate in relation to Verstappen’s future – or lack of it.

On Friday (April 17), Russell waded in with his thoughts during an interview with Sky Sports, with the Englishman keen to note that Verstappen “didn’t have the same complaint when he was winning”.

"Formula 1 is bigger than any driver," Russell said when asked how likely Verstappen leaving the sport would be.

"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, hurting everybody’s backs. The car was big, it was heavy; in 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."

F1 returns at the start of May, with Russell likely already thinking about securing a maiden Drivers’ Championship.