Speculations have arisen about the possibility of Max Verstappen joining Mercedes due to tensions within the Red Bull team. The current world champion had an exceptional season in 2023, and his victory at the Bahrain GP suggests he will continue to dominate this year. However, conflicts in Milton Keynes, particularly involving alleged inappropriate behavior by Christian Horner, have escalated. As a result, there are rumors circulating that Verstappen may leave Red Bull to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is heading to Ferrari.
During the Bahrain GP, Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes, had a meeting with Verstappen. Wolff expressed that anything could happen regarding the future of the three-time world champion. Verstappen is currently under contract with Red Bull until at least 2028, but there have been speculations about a possible buyout clause for the 26-year-old driver. Additionally, Wolff stated that he would not stand in Verstappen’s way if he decided to leave Red Bull.
Wolff acknowledged that the driver market is in an intriguing state. However, he believes that the best drivers will always seek out the fastest cars available. Therefore, there may not be a compelling reason for Verstappen to switch from Red Bull to Mercedes in the future. However, Wolff hinted that the door is open for the three-time world champion.
Verstappen is currently at the peak of his career and is widely considered the favorite to win his fourth consecutive title with Red Bull this season. He has been part of the Red Bull family for almost a decade and has achieved remarkable success with the team. However, tensions between Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, and Christian Horner may create difficulties for the 26-year-old driver. If tensions continue to escalate, Verstappen may heed his father’s advice and consider leaving Red Bull. It is important to note, however, that Verstappen is currently in the best position to compete for the world championship with the Milton Keynes-based team.
Rumors about a possible move to Mercedes for Max Verstappen have been gaining momentum in recent days. So far, the three-time world champion has not addressed these speculations. However, fans are eager to see how the F1 driver market will unfold this year.
