James Walls Saudi Arabia Grand Prix caused a lot of stir on Friday When Williams Formula 1 Boss suggested that Mercedes Should not sign Max Verustapane,
The future of the four -time world champion is currently subject to the question, as the Red Bull 2024 Formula 1 season has returned since starting as the most prominent dress.
Vastapane’s team currently ranks third in 2025 standing, which claims Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marco that he is concerned about losing Dutchman despite his contract by the end of 2028.
Red Bull Boss Christian Horner claimed that rumors are just “noise”Still the “noise” is not moving away with two teams, emerging as possible landing spots for Vastapane: Eston Martin and Mercedes.
Eston Martin has signed only the legendary designer and former ally of Vestapen, while its driver’s long -term future Fernando Alonso It is also suspected that he is 43 years old.
Meanwhile, Vastapane has long been associated with Mercedes, including last year when it was searching. Lewis Hamilton Replacement.
James Walls, Williams
Photo by: Sam BlocSum / Motorsport Images
Walls said about the situation: “I don’t think anyone in the room would deny that he is extraordinary in what he can do, and Japan (Victory of Verustapen in 2025) was for me, jaw-dropping.
“It is well done with him, but he comes with a lot of downsides, as well as we will have to accept and I think Mercedes is a great culture with two drivers who are reaching the climax of the car, and in the way with one. So I do not think that it is a place for him.”
So, should Mercedes tear their stables and either change George Russell Or crook hotshot Andrea Kimi Antoneley With verstappen?
Our authors say …
Verstappen F1 is the best driver, but is not worth the risk for Mercedes – Jake Boxol -Leghes
While assessing James Walls, where Max Verustapane will fit in the future plans of Mercedes, he appears to be enthusiastic; It is difficult to see where the champion fits four times in the team. Looking at it from a distance, and drivers would not consider it at least as the data set and nothing more than the matrix, but only if you did not have a driver who were already working an incredibly sterling.
If you are eight of the 10 teams on the grid, yes, the Verustapane should be on the specialist. The Red Bull must be thrown to the kitchen sink of an icona showroom to keep her happy, while Eston Martin would definitely have invested and captured the two previous major assets of Red Bull in Adrian Nui and Honda. But the Fernando Alonso is under the contract in the Silverstone Squad Lance walk The heat of the universe will remain in the team till death. So, 2026 will be an optimistic call.
FerrariLike Aston, it is a difficult; Perhaps this is one for 2027. So it does not actually leave the Verustapane with a pile of options, even if he wanted to jump the ship at the end of the year.
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonally, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam BlocSum / Motorsport Images
Mercedes must be taking great risk to take it. In George Russell, it is one of the star artists of the weather so far; Britain has picked up team leader Mantle with Great Gusto, and has been excellent in the first four races.
In Andrea Kimi Antoneley, it has the next superstar; An 18-year-old crook who has great nature and speed, but requires some sessions to create a shell of war-kisses around his unique talent. If the team is considering Vastapane, it will have to be considered whether the driver would be happy to take off. So far it is difficult to see the evidence of their seasons, and in the next few years, to intensifies his plans to bring Volf, Toto Wolf.
You will get the best driver of F1 on the grid, but you will potentially lose the harmony of the team and separate the two drivers, who – Clich Alert – Bleed Silver. This will be a short -term step for a team that is much focused on long periods, and that is why it does not really fit.
Mercedes will be foolish to remember Vastapane for the third time – Ronald Wording
“Somehow I still feel that we will cross our way one day,” Toto Wolf said during a session for the Dutch media at the Zandwort. The boss of the Mercedes team explained that he interacted with Max Verustapane till the summer break and said that the opportunity to sign it was “no zero”. Later Wolf insisted that all attention is on the current line-up, as a good team boss should do.
But quotes suggest that Wolf had thought of signing a Vastapane more than once during his F1 career. The story is famously returned to 2014, when Max was still in the European F3 and weighing all his options to come to Vestappen F1. Wolf preferred a learning year in F2, using its sister Team offered an attractive shortcut to F1.
But, as Wolf said, the path can still cross a day and, given the current situation, this opportunity has probably not yet reduced to zero. Verstappen has luxury to re -assess all its options. With his position as a four -time world champion, the doors will probably open in Mercedes and Aston Martin, if he wants to move forward, in the new set of 2026 or one year rules.
Wolf first missed the possibility of signing Vastapane for 2015
Photo by photo: Patrick Lundin / Motorsport Images
Till then it will be clear who has the best package, but economically, it can be interesting to make a step for 2026. If Mercedes becomes a major force in the new era, Wolf does not need to spend any greater luck on the salary of drivers. Now the Peking Order is still an unknown, which in principle makes the vastopane’s bargaining position slightly stronger. Aston Martin may be difficult to match the astronomical figures that broadcast about Martin, but Verustapen has already stated that he was not running in F1 for money. He just wants to stay in the best car. And obtaining pay checks is not a problem for Mercedes – support from Demler and the fact that the salary of drivers is not included in the budget cap.
Of course, James Walls has pointed to potentially downside, but Wolf is very well known to the Volsteapen family and more than the competent manager. The vowels that mention in any possible downsides do not need to be an issue. And then two major advantages remain for Mercedes: Signing Vastapane will protect the fastest and most consistent driver’s services on the grid and provide very interesting PR opportunities for the brand. Weakening the opposition may be an additional reason for Wolf to consider it and try to do that in 2014 or 2024.
An attraction for the third time? Even if a minor opportunity can come, Mercedes will be silly that he does not go for it.
in this article
Autosport staff
Sutra 1
Max Verustapane
Mercedes
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