Red Bull F1 News: Max Verstappen Mercedes team switch could UNNERVE champion

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Red Bull rival team switch could UNNERVE Verstappen

A Formula 1 world champion has his say on the rumours of Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull

Jay Winter

Tuesday 30 July 2024 19:40

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1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Max Verstappen would face significant challenges if he were to move to a rival team such as McLaren or Mercedes.

With rumours swirling up and down the paddock that Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is keen on pinching the Dutchman from Red Bull, Villeneuve questioned the viability of a team switch for Verstappen, who has spent his entire F1 career under the Red Bull umbrella.

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Villeneuve is no stranger to bold statements when it comes to the career of an F1 driver, having made quite the impact during his punditry stint with Sky Sports at the Canadian Grand Prix this season when questioning the potential of Daniel Ricciardo.

In an interview with Instant Casino, Villeneuve said of Verstappen: “He's been in the Red Bull bubble his whole career,

“It won't be easy to recreate that comfortable atmosphere at another team."

Max Verstappen finished P4 the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend

The former Williams driver also highlighted the lack of openings at top teams, particularly focusing on Mercedes, who have invested a lot of time and money into their future pairing.

“It depends on what becomes available for Max Verstappen,” explained Villeneuve.

“There is no space at McLaren. Would he be treated any better at Mercedes? And would he take George Russell or Kimi Antonelli's seat?

“Both Russell and Antonelli are Mercedes products and have been heavily invested in.”

Kimi Antonelli (R) is being dubbed as F1's biggest talent since Max Verstappen (L)

After losing Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff reportedly wants Max Verstappen

While the Canadian suggested that Wolff could sign Verstappen just to wind up their rivals, he believes staying at Red Bull could be the three-time world champion’s best bet.

“Mercedes would probably want to sign Verstappen just to rob their big rivals, Red Bull, of their star driver,” he said.

"There is no good team for Verstappen to go to right now, but in the long term, we'll have to see.”

Villeneuve's comments come amid ongoing speculation about Verstappen's long-term commitment to Red Bull and F1 as a whole.

The Austrian team’s downturn in form, paired with the internal power struggles revealed earlier this season, underscores the complexities in Christian Horner’s team.

For now, Verstappen will be focusing on keeping his rivals at McLaren and Mercedes at bay in the driver’s championship as he heads into the summer break with a 78-point lead.