As the Max Verstappen to Mercedes rumour rumbles on, Johnny Herbert says the “common sense” next step for George Russell has to be Aston Martin. Verstappen is once again being linked to Russell’s Mercedes race seat after the Briton stirred up the latest round of rumours when he declared Verstappen is talking with Toto Wolff about the future.

Stroll junior would likely be given a comfortable position within the team in the result of a potential sacking, but the removal of the 26-year-old from a full-time seat with his father's team would go down as one of the most brutal moves in F1 history.