Although there were initial reports connecting Max Verstappen to a transfer to the Mercedes F1 team, discussions have currently been put on hold.
Max Verstappen’s possible big decision to leave Red Bull for another team won’t be an easy one, according to Martin Brundle.
Despite having a contract until 2028, Max Verstappen’s long-term commitment to the Red Bull team has raised doubts, leading to speculations of a possible switch to Mercedes.
Max Verstappen rumours addressed by Martin Brundle
Verstappen’s lack of confidence in Red Bull originates from the aftermath of the company’s internal investigation into accusations against Christian Horner’s conduct as team boss. However, Red Bull GmbH ultimately disregarded this investigation.
Verstappen’s father, Jos, insisted that Horner be replaced or else risk causing division within the team, given Horner’s job security and the backing of the Austrian and Thai shareholders.
Following Lewis Hamilton’s departure for Ferrari, team principal Toto Wolff has set his sights on signing Verstappen as his replacement, considering the open cockpit at Mercedes. This unexpected possibility of a Verstappen switch appears to be more feasible now than it would have been a year ago.
One crucial aspect that may influence Verstappen’s decision-making is the power units. As Red Bull prepares to lose Honda power by the end of 2025 and establishes itself as a power unit manufacturer with the introduction of Red Bull Powertrains, there is a certain level of uncertainty surrounding the company’s ability to master the regulations right from the start. This uncertainty makes Red Bull slightly riskier compared to Mercedes’ power units, which have a proven track record of successful development.
If Verstappen desires to end his contract at Red Bull before 2028, it will most likely depend on activating an exit clause related to personnel or performance, and the crucial factor will be the timing of this activation.
Verstappen’s remarkable skills make it highly likely that he will secure titles this year and in 2025, given Red Bull’s strong competitive nature. However, there is no certainty that the Mercedes seat will remain vacant when the new regulations take effect.
Verstappen seemed to close the door on Mercedes when he spoke to media in Miami, saying that he is happy with his current earnings and he won’t be moving to a team to race over minor placings, but is yet to firmly shut the door on all speculation regarding a move elsewhere.
In an interview with Sky F1, Martin Brundle, a former F1 racer who is now a broadcaster, raised doubts about Verstappen’s thoughts as he evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of making a significant team change that could define his career.
“He stated that it is a more extensive and intricately complicated matter.”
“Max emphasized that when it comes to making a decision to relocate, one must possess a crystal ball and a comprehensive understanding of power units, the aero team, and numerous other factors.”
I often ponder whether Team Verstappen possesses a contingency plan they can execute in case they become uncertain about future circumstances.
However, the cars in 2025 will mostly consist of these cars, and I doubt he would want to avoid competing for another championship in the upcoming year.
Brundle speculated that Adrian Newey, the chief technical officer responsible for numerous successful Red Bull designs, will leave the Milton Keynes-based team by mid-2025. He suggested that this departure could potentially impact Red Bull in some way, raising the question of whether it could be significant enough to persuade Verstappen to seek a more secure future elsewhere.
Brundle stated, “I have no doubt that Max and his management team would have been kept informed at every stage.”
According to Red Bull, Adrian came very close to leaving last year, and this has been anticipated for some time now. As a result, they have effectively set up their chassis, aero, and powertrain for the future.
“They claim to have everything under control moving forward, but the departure of a brilliant individual like Adrian is always a setback.”
“I’m confident that during any design process, Adrian would make a few adjustments along the way and come up with at least a couple of brilliant ideas.”
I believe Adrian will excel in another aspect as well. If he requires any adjustments to the powertrain, such as moving a pump or the exhaust, in order to enhance aerodynamics, he will vigorously advocate for it. It is this level of determination that distinguishes him from others.
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During the Miami GP weekend, Toto Wolff, the boss of Mercedes team, expressed his opinion that if he were Max Verstappen, he would choose to stay with Red Bull for 2025. Nevertheless, it is evident that the Dutch driver holds significant influence in the driver market.
According to Wolff, “I believe he is the same for all the teams.”
Like I mentioned earlier, if I were in his position, I wouldn’t consider leaving, especially not until 2025. However, the decision ultimately rests with him since he is the top driver.
“He currently holds the highest position, which is why he is responsible for making these decisions. However, there might not even be a need for any decision-making. It is possible that things will remain unchanged, but this too serves as guidance for us.”
Regarding the rumors about his meeting with the Verstappen camp after Miami, Wolff confirmed that there would be no meeting on Monday, as suggested. However, he did not deny the possibility of such a meeting taking place.
He mentioned that there are always an abundance of meetings.
I don’t have much information on the second driver. We have discussed the potential options, but I want to ensure fairness towards them. It’s important to clarify that we are not treating humans like chess pieces.
At present, we’re inclined to patiently observe Max’s thought process and simultaneously keep a close eye on the other drivers. Carlos Sainz demonstrated remarkable strength once again, prompting us to adopt a more cautious approach.
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