Max Verstappen, who is under contract until 2028, is rumored to have a potential exit option tied to the departure of Dr. Helmut Marko from the team that has won the championship.
Lewis Hamilton, the highly regarded British driver who will be joining Ferrari next year, has suggested that Mercedes might have their sights set on Max Verstappen as his replacement after his departure.
Hamilton’s unexpected move to Ferrari has caused a stir in the Formula One community, leading to speculation about possible changes in team dynamics and driver alignments.
Reflecting on his own surprising decision, Hamilton believes that Mercedes may pursue Red Bull’s Verstappen for the 2025 season.
He shared with reporters, “My move has demonstrated that anything is possible, and the next six months or so are going to be very interesting. I don’t have any additional information.
“I know that… I’m sure Max is being considered, but I’m pretty certain he is committed elsewhere, and also, I can’t see why he would leave such a great car.”
Verstappen, who is bound by a contract until 2028, is rumored to have a possible exit clause connected to the departure of Dr. Helmut Marko from the team that has won the championship.
This comes amid controversy surrounding team principal Christian Horner and allegations of misconduct, which has resulted in the suspension of the accuser.
Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, has expressed concerns about the internal discord that could potentially divide the team, a sentiment that Max has not publicly disputed.
Despite the turmoil, Verstappen remains focused on his current commitments, particularly the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
He stated, “No one would have expected Lewis to move to Ferrari.
“In general life, you never know what will happen or what might influence you.
Christian Horner’s #RedBull still facing the sack as #FIA intervenes https://t.co/78KRi5S0mE
“So you can never say with 100 percent certainty that things will turn out a certain way… but I am very calm and content with the team, and the performance is there, so there is no reason to leave.”
This story highlights the unpredictable nature of Formula One, with Hamilton’s departure and potential changes on the horizon.
Verstappen’s future, despite his current satisfaction at Red Bull, is a topic of speculation as the F1 community closely watches for any shifts in the driver lineup.