Winner of the race Max Verstappen, from the Netherlands, representing Red Bull Racing, celebrates on the winners’ podium. The date is 09.03.2024. This event is part of the Formula 1 World Championship, specifically Round 2, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Race Day.
The idea of Max Verstappen participating in Formula 1 without using the recognizable colors of Red Bull always seemed unimaginable. This is mainly due to the fact that the team provided him with the necessary equipment to achieve record-breaking performances.
Verstappen has been associated with Red Bull since before his remarkable debut in the top-level racing category, at the young age of 17. Throughout several seasons characterized by uncompetitive and unreliable engines, he showed patience and was rewarded. Since the sport reintroduced ground-effect cars, Verstappen has achieved unprecedented accomplishments.
With 34 wins in the last 44 races up to this season, Verstappen now ranks third on the all-time wins list. This remarkable achievement is a testament to Red Bull’s continued advantage over its competitors. In the first two races of 2024, Verstappen has capitalized on this advantage, securing dominant victories.
However, amidst the team’s relentless success on the track, the focus of the headlines has shifted to developments occurring elsewhere. An investigation into allegations of misconduct against Team Principal Christian Horner has caused turmoil within Red Bull.
Although Horner has been cleared of these accusations and has emphasized the team’s unity, tension within Red Bull has been palpable during the early rounds of the championship.
After Verstappen’s dominant victory in Bahrain to kick off the season, attention turned to comments made by his father, Jos Verstappen. Jos hinted that Horner’s position within the team had become untenable and could potentially cause divisions within Red Bull.
In Saudi Arabia, Verstappen tried to defuse the situation by acknowledging that he and Horner could overcome their differences and work together harmoniously.
However, the Dutch driver’s insistence that his father “is not true” and his cautious response when asked if he could support Horner on various occasions have revealed which side he is aligning with.
This was further demonstrated when Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko suggested he could face suspension during an investigation into leaks to the media, and Verstappen acknowledged that the departure of this influential figure would cause problems.
However, Marko confirmed he will continue in his role, and Verstappen also reaffirmed his intention to honor his long-term contract until the end of 2028.
However, despite Verstappen seemingly putting an end to rumors of his departure, speculation about his future will persist as the saga unfolds.
Lewis Hamilton emphasized that it would be unwise for Verstappen to leave Red Bull while they remain the dominant force, but the ongoing drama off the track is overshadowing the on-track action this season.
In Formula 1, where there’s smoke, there’s often fire, as demonstrated by Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025. Verstappen’s position as a pawn in a power struggle could potentially influence his commitment to Red Bull Racing.
After losing Hamilton to a rival team, Mercedes will certainly be keeping an eye on developments at Red Bull. Team boss Toto Wolff even expressed that Marko, who has a close relationship with Verstappen’s camp, would be welcome.
Wolff is a shrewd operator and these remarks were strategically placed with the aim of adding fuel to the controversy. It also served as a public invitation to Verstappen, indicating that Mercedes would be open to starting contract discussions if the reigning champion were available.
Mercedes finds itself in a dilemma on whether to prioritize an experienced driver or a rising star to join George Russell next season. However, the opportunity to lure Verstappen away from Red Bull would offer a solution to this unresolved issue.
Wolff has always admired Verstappen, and it is well known that Mercedes had pursued the Dutchman before Red Bull secured his signature, ensuring an immediate promotion to F1. At that time, Verstappen’s exceptional talent was undeniable, but since then he has refined his skills and transformed from a raw gem into a polished driver who stands out among the current generation.
In addition to his undeniable genius on the track, acquiring Verstappen would be a valuable coup for Mercedes due to the global appeal he brings. While he may not replace Hamilton’s status as a worldwide icon beyond the racing world, Verstappen’s brand has attracted numerous partners eager to associate with him.
However, Wolff is fully aware that the key to securing Verstappen’s services lies in providing him with a competitive car that allows him to continue his quest for more trophies before his retirement.
Currently, Mercedes does not qualify as an attractive destination to meet this requirement. The German manufacturer has been struggling since being Verstappen’s main rival during his debut campaign in the championship in 2021, managing only one win under the latest ground effect regulations.
Despite overcoming the stubborn trends of its previous model with the renewed W15 car for 2024, Mercedes has encountered additional challenges with high-speed corners, which the team considers to be a fundamental issue.
If Mercedes does not show signs of understanding the latest version of their cars for the third consecutive season, the team’s perception may shift from a minor setback to a downfall.
However, the impending implementation of new regulations may disrupt the established hierarchy, and it is possible that Verstappen and his team have considered leaving Red Bull due to their preparations not going as planned.
Red Bull has established a Powertrains division in collaboration with Ford to develop their own engine, but Ferrari has warned that new engine manufacturers will face difficulties under the revised 2026 agreement.
At the same time, key figures at Red Bull have expressed concerns about regulations favoring engine dominance. In 2014, when this happened previously, Mercedes began an unprecedented streak of eight consecutive championships.
Verstappen stated that it is too early to draw conclusions about Red Bull’s latest sporting venture, but it is clear that he is well informed about the progress being made.
Although Verstappen is grateful to Red Bull, there should be no doubt that he would be willing to leave if he became disillusioned. His loyalty to Red Bull should not be mistaken for a lack of confidence in his ability to succeed elsewhere.
In the world of sensationalist journalism, the cars of 2024 serving as the basis for their successors, an exit from Red Bull would undoubtedly be a short-term regressive move for a driver who has made it clear that he does not intend to pursue a Formula 1 career similar to Fernando Alonso’s.
However, Verstappen’s possible departure from Red Bull may be motivated by the desire to position himself favorably for the upcoming regulations.
There are rumors circulating that Mercedes is ahead in terms of engine development compared to other teams, and if these reports are true, the team may have a powerful card up their sleeve to attract Verstappen to make a move similar to Hamilton’s departure from McLaren, based on future projections.
Although there are notable differences in the circumstances surrounding the two drivers, Mercedes would be eager to seize the opportunity to strengthen their ranks and weaken Red Bull in the process.
Russell openly acknowledged that he is ready for the challenge, recognizing Verstappen as the “best driver on the grid,” and Wolff went so far as to state that Red Bull’s competitors would jump at the chance to have the three-time F1 champion in their cars.
Red Bull would undoubtedly continue to thrive without Verstappen, but his presence has undeniably raised the bar for the Milton Keynes-based team. The difficulties Red Bull has faced in finding a suitable replacement for Daniel Ricciardo since his departure in 2018, as well as the struggles Sergio Perez faced last season, serve as evidence that the team is not ready to risk losing Verstappen.
Although Horner has emphasized that no individual is bigger than the team, Verstappen’s possible departure could have far-reaching consequences that challenge this notion.
If Horner’s alleged bluff is exposed, Mercedes may not be the only team vying for Verstappen’s highly sought-after services.
While Mercedes has struggled to maintain its former dominance, Aston Martin has experienced recent growth. The team, based in Silverstone, used to operate on a limited budget, but since mid-2018 has received substantial financial support from Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll.
Stroll played a crucial role in saving the team and securing its future, leading to the transition to Aston Martin in 2021. Although the team finished seventh in the two seasons following the change, it made a big breakthrough last season by becoming the closest competitor to Red Bull in the early stages of the year.
Despite a regression in competitiveness as the development race intensified, Aston Martin finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, accumulating 255 more points and securing eight podiums compared to the previous season.
Mr. Stroll’s ambitions go beyond these achievements, as he aims to turn Aston Martin into a title-contending team. This vision is evident in the significant investment made in a state-of-the-art headquarters and simulator.
Stroll Sr. has proven his willingness to make bold decisions to achieve his dream, including hiring Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in the past. Alonso, who continues to excel at 42, has acknowledged that he will have to make a decision about his future in the sport.
If Alonso chooses to retire or seek another team, it would not be surprising to see Stroll Sr. inquire about Verstappen’s interest. Similar to Mercedes, Aston Martin can offer the appeal of being a factory team with the support of Honda, a manufacturer with whom Verstappen already has a connection.
The partnership between Aston Martin and Honda is seen as a significant step towards their long-term goals, as the team becomes less dependent on Mercedes for customer parts such as gearbox and suspension.
Furthermore, Stroll Sr. is known for providing a less corporate and more relaxed environment, which aligns with the environment in which Verstappen thrived at Red Bull. This may be an attractive factor for Verstappen, especially considering the demanding nature of a 24-round calendar.
Verstappen is a passionate driver, and the lack of focus on his achievements has been a source of dissatisfaction. As long as Horner remains in charge, this is unlikely to change, which may lead Verstappen to make a career-altering decision and move beyond Red Bull’s dominance in the sport.
© 2024
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