Max Verstappen has been plying his trade with Red Bull since 2016. The recent bombshell move to Ferrari by Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen has created an opening at Mercedes. The team is actively exploring driver options for the 2025 season. In the midst of this, Verstappen was seen as the top choice to fill the vacant seat left by the seven-time world champion. However, it is unlikely that Verstappen would leave his Red Bull deal for Brackley.
Verstappen made it clear that not even a sum of ‘$250 Million’ would entice him to leave the Austrian constructor in Formula 1. Toto Wolff, on the other hand, did not rule out the possibility of seeing the 26-year-old join Mercedes. F1 pundit, Schiff, believed that teams would be looking for the best drivers for the 2025 season and beyond. If Mercedes had even a slight chance of acquiring Verstappen, it would be unwise for them to pass up on the opportunity.
Schiff also discussed the pressures faced by F1 drivers and the importance of their performance on the track. According to the Rwandan presenter, a driver’s performance serves as an audition to showcase their racing abilities. The most recent performance of a driver is taken into consideration when evaluating them for a spot on a particular team. This constant pressure is something Verstappen experiences at Mercedes.
Toto Wolff had previously stated that George Russell would be the lead driver after Hamilton’s departure. However, a driver like Verstappen could easily claim the lead role based on his racecraft alone. This puts Russell at the highest risk of losing his status as the lead driver at Mercedes if Verstappen were to join the team.
Naomi Schiff believes that Russell is aware of this situation and that is why he is under pressure. The 26-year-old is looking for ways to prove his racing skills to the team. Schiff suggests that a race win by Russell would be the best-case scenario to eliminate the risk of being paired with Verstappen at Mercedes in the upcoming season.
Despite potentially better opportunities elsewhere, Verstappen will continue to showcase his racing talent with Red Bull. The Dutchman remains loyal to the energy drink manufacturer in Formula 1. It is even possible that Verstappen may consider retiring with Milton Keynes, cementing himself as one of the most successful Red Bull drivers in history.