The mid-season rumor mill is swirling in Formula 1. The latest rumor is that Lance Stroll has asked out of Formula 1. The team plans to pursue George Russell to replace Stroll. This is nothing more than a rumor now, but it’s a fun what-if to cover. How would the move affect F1? 

Immediately, Toto Wolff would be on the phone with Max Verstappen’s representatives. It’s no secret that Wolff wants Verstappen at Mercedes. The 2026 Mercedes engine is rumored to be ahead of its competitors. With the promise of a winning car, Max Verstappen’s frustration with Red Bull boils over. He moved to Mercedes in 2026. It’s a win-win for the team, as it gains another mentor for Kimi Antonelli. 

This leaves Red Bull in a dire situation. Their ace for many seasons is poached by a rival. Yuki Tsunoda is out of contract at the end of 2025. Liam Lawson was rushed up and failed. Isack Hadjar has shown promise, but would they make the same mistake as Lawson? They go in an entirely different direction. 

Red Bull calls the representatives of Charles Leclerc. His unwavering loyalty to Ferrari is finally exhausted. He decides to sign with Red Bull. 

They decide to make a big decision for the second seat. They call up Arvid Lindblad for the seat. The 17-year-old was granted a super license and will participate in FP1 this weekend in Austria. He’s Red Bull’s highest-rated prospect since Max Verstappen. The gamble is worth it with new regulations. 

Ferrari quickly calls up Oliver Bearman to fill the seat. The 20-year-old driver has been impressive with Haas this season. He needs to work on his qualifying, but he’s done enough to move up.

Haas would make an interesting move. For the first time in its history, the team is profitable. It has a working relationship with Toyota. The team is moving in a direction where I can see Toyota being its engine supplier in 2028. With that in mind, reserve driver Ryō Hirakawa gets the seat. Hirakawa is a Toyota-backed driver. It paves the way for Haas to leave Ferrari and join Toyota as its engine supplier. 

Other teams and drivers would mostly stay the same. The exception is Yuki Tsunoda, who moves to Aston Martin as a reserve driver. The move would be made with the promise of filling the seat once Fernando Alonso retires. 

One rumor coming true could change the face of F1 for years to come. 

Image Via Aston Martin Armaco F1 Team on X