DONE DEAL: Following Sergio Perez’s surprising exit, Red Bull has officially confirmed the hiring of a top Mercedes driver.

Red Bull Racing has officially announced the signing of Mercedes driver George Russell, following the departure of Sergio Perez from the team.

The move comes as a surprise to many in the F1 community, as Russell had previously expressed his commitment to the Mercedes team and his desire to stay with the German squad. However, Red Bull’s aggressive recruitment efforts and the opportunity to compete for a championship with Max Verstappen proved too tempting for Russell to resist.

“We are thrilled to welcome George to the Red Bull family,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in a statement.

Russell has been with Mercedes since 2021 and has established himself as one of the sport’s most promising young drivers, consistently surpassing his experienced teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Russell’s move to Red Bull signals a huge step forward in his career, as he will be teamed with reigning world champion Max Verstappen and have the possibility to contend for the title himself.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to drive for Red Bull Racing,” Russell said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with Max and the entire team to bring home championships.”

The addition of Russell to the Red Bull lineup also creates a significant shift in the balance of power in the F1 world, with many predicting that the team will now be the favorites to win the championship next season.

“The combination of Max Verstappen and George Russell is going to be tough to beat,” said former F1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Nico Rosberg. “Mercedes is going to have to step up their game if they want to stay competitive.”

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