- Mercedes chases Formula One world champion Max Verstappen
- The Dutch driver’s future at Red Bull was up in the air earlier this year
- But Verstappen is reluctant to make a change in the paddock.
The Formula One season has just begun and although there are still 17 races until next year, there have already been some major changes to the paddock for the 2025 season.
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz will make way for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the Prancing Horse, while Red Bull technical director Adrian Newey announced he would leave the team in 2025.
It came in the wake of the Christian Horner saga, and although the Red Bull team principal was cleared by an internal investigation over allegations of inappropriate behaviour, Newey decided to step away from the Red Bull set-up.
The change and movement across the grid appears to be far from over as Mercedes are still trying to attract champion Max Verstappen to join them, however, the Dutch driver is reluctant to make the jump because He is worried about the Mercedes car.
Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2026 and, although he still dominates the field with Red Bull, the three-time champion doubts his future with Red Bull amid the fallout from Horner’s allegations.
Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull in doubt amid Christian Horner saga
It has been reported that Verstappen could look to move away from Red Bull.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is trying to convince Verstappen to join his team next year.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made it clear that he is interested in signing the talented driver to take him away from the turmoil he has experienced at Red Bull this year.
However, while Wolff’s offer may be tempting from a financial and public relations point of view, the Austrian may have difficulty convincing the competitive Dutchman that he can produce a car that will allow him to clinch his fourth drivers’ championship.
According Auto Motor and SportsMercedes cannot produce a car that the 26-year-old would “want to sit in”, which is a major factor for a driver who is eager to win more drivers’ championships.
Although Mercedes dominated between 2014 and 2020, the Silver Arrows have struggled to produce a car to rival Red Bull since 2021.
Wolff’s men have been far off the pace set by Red Bull in recent years and currently sit fourth in the constructors’ championship, behind Ferrari and McLaren.
Following the shock announcement that veteran Mercedes poster boy Lewis Hamilton would be leaving the team to join Ferrari in 2025, the Brackley-based team only has one driver contracted for next season.
Wolff hopes to find a replacement for Hamilton to team up with George Russell.
However, the Austrian will be hesitant to make hasty decisions if there is a chance of Verstappen being poached from Red Bull.
Speaking to the media after the Miami Grand Prix about the possibility of signing Verstappen next year, Wolff said: “There are always a lot of meetings.” I can’t really say anything about the second driver. I think we’ve talked about the possibilities. I want to be fair to these guys and not make it seem like we’re playing chess with humans, because we’re not.
Red Bull racing engineer Adrian Newey will leave the team in early 2025.
Verstappen reluctant to join Mercedes because he believes they cannot produce a winning car
Mercedes is looking for a second driver and Hamilton (right) will join Ferrari in 2025.
“I think we want to take our time, see where Max’s thinking goes and, at the same time, monitor the other drivers. Carlos (Sainz) was very strong again in Miami and that’s why we are a bit in observation mode in this moment”. He said after the Miami race.
“As I said before, if I were him, I wouldn’t leave, at least until 2025. But it’s all in him… he’s the leading driver, he’s the best at the moment and that’s why it’s up to him to take those decisions. There may not be any decisions to be made, everything may continue as it is, but that is also a guide for us.’