Max Verstappen’s future continues to spark hypothesis within the Components 1 paddock after Pink Bull advisor Helmut Marko mentioned the group had a “nice concern” over the world champion departing.
Verstappen retained his title final 12 months however in a automobile that went from dominating to nearly an also-ran by the top of the 12 months as McLaren and Ferrari took the highest two spots within the constructors’ standings.
There was the same sample firstly of 2025, with McLaren as soon as once more wanting dominant – albeit with Verstappen placing in a effective efficiency over the course of the Japanese Grand Prix to seal victory at Suzuka.
Disaster talks had been held following an altogether extra disappointing weekend in Bahrain final day trip, resulting in some questions over Verstappen’s future.
There wouldn’t be many groups on the grid who might afford the Dutchman, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso casting doubts on being paired with Verstappen for subsequent 12 months.
Mercedes could possibly be another choice if Verstappen sought an out from Pink Bull – however its former technique director James Vowles has suggested in opposition to a transfer.
“I believe there’s extra efficiency to be added via Max,” mentioned the Williams group boss on the Friday of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Pictures
“I do not suppose anybody within the room would deny that he’s extraordinary in what he can do, and Japan was, for me, jaw-dropping.
“Effectively completed to him however he comes with plenty of downsides as nicely that now we have to acknowledge and I believe what Mercedes does have is a good tradition with two drivers which are delivering close to to the height of the automobile, and with one which’s on the way in which up. So I personally do not suppose that is a spot for him.”
Not solely would a shock transfer for Verstappen imply Mercedes must farm out Andrea Kimi Antonelli to make room however, with George Russell – who had a high-profile spat with Verstappen in Qatar and Abu Dhabi – wanting set to signal a brand new deal, Vowles feels there can be much more negatives to the signing.
“I do not suppose so – I believe they’re two very completely different characters,” he replied when requested if Russell and Verstappen might coexist.
“I am not Toto [Wolff, Mercedes boss] – however I believe he is bought a extremely good driver line-up for the long run. I believe with Kimi – and I am biased as a result of I labored with him for a protracted time frame – in case you simply have a look at the steps he’s making in qualifying, he is making steps each single week and he is solely pushed successfully 4 grand prix races.
“He is on an excellent pathway to being very, very aggressive, so you retain investing in that, and George is delivering. You may’t actually fault [him]; I imply, he is been a bit quiet, however you may’t actually fault something he is completed this 12 months.”
On this article
Mark Mann-Bryans
Components 1
Max Verstappen
Pink Bull Racing
Mercedes
Williams
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