Verstappen opens door to EXIT after 'forgiving' huge rival
Verstappen opens door to EXIT after 'forgiving' huge rival
Max Verstappen has opened up about a potential future with Mercedes, acknowledging a changing dynamic between the Red Bull and their rival team.
The 2025 driver market is shaping up to be a dramatic one, with Lewis Hamilton's surprise move to Ferrari leaving a gaping hole at Mercedes.
READ MORE: Mercedes driver announcement imminent as team 'offers contract' to F1 star
Several hungry contenders are vying for the coveted Mercedes seat, with out-of-contract Carlos Sainz and the rising star of F2, Kimi Antonelli, just a few names thrown into the hat. However, it appears that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has a different driver at the top of his wish list: Verstappen.
While the Verstappen-Red Bull partnership seems like a match made in heaven, a switch to another team is not impossible following the controversy surrounding Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
The three-time champion has hinted that he wouldn't rule out a switch to another team, especially after rumours swirled about the potential departure of Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who shares a strong bond with the Dutchman.
READ MORE: Here's where Hamilton will make his sensational Ferrari debut next year
Verstappen: 'All forgiven and forgotten'
The Red Bull star moving to their fiercest rivals wouldn't have been a realistic conversation just a few years ago, considering the intense championship battles that saw RBR and Mercedes go toe-to-toe, particularly in the dramatic 2021 season.
Verstappen's maiden title came under controversial circumstances following a late-race call by Michael Masi that denied Hamilton a record eighth championship that year. Verstappen acknowledges a shift in the relationship between himself and Mercedes.
"Look, a few years ago there was of course a little more tension between us and Mercedes, I would like to say a little more, yes," he told De Limburger. "But that can all be forgiven and forgotten. That’s true on both sides."
However, Verstappen made it clear that his focus remains on Red Bull, especially considering their performance advantage since the start of the new regulations in 2022.
The Milton Keynes-based squad currently hold the upper hand in F1. Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez are 1-2 in the driver standings, propelling the team to the top of the constructors' championship.
"But [forgiving Wolff] doesn’t mean I think I should be driving somewhere else right now," he added. "In addition, Mercedes does not have the fastest car at the moment; that really is the Red Bull.
"In the past, even before Red Bull, we had discussions with Mercedes. Back then, they said: ‘You have to do this and that to become successful’. I think I have now shown how it should be done. They want me in that car, I understand that."
READ MORE: Repair work carried out as FIA inspection raises concerns over Chinese GP
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Rap LEGEND set to stun fans at US Grand Prix
- 38 minutes ago
Red Bull warned of mass exodus after Newey departure
- 1 uur geleden
Red Bull warned of 'burning' as disquiet grows
- 2 uur geleden
Verstappen set for Mercedes talks over SHOCK move
- 3 uur geleden
Newey exit takes new turn as contract complication revealed
- Yesterday 23:00
F1 boss looking to sell 25% of team for over $1 BILLION
- Yesterday 22:00
Red Bull warned of 'burning' as disquiet grows
Verstappen set for Mercedes talks over SHOCK move
Ricciardo sets timeline for possible RB axe
Verstappen mocks Hamilton and others as drought continues
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860
Realtimes | Publishing Network
Copyright (©) 2017 - 2024 GPFans.com
Realtimes | Publishing Network