Mercedes Not Likely to Pursue Verstappen, Says Former Strategy Chief Vowles
Former Mercedes strategist James Vowles believes Mercedes is unlikely to pursue Max Verstappen, despite ongoing speculation about the Dutch driver's potential exit from Red Bull.
Two Formula One drivers talking trackside
Vowles, now Williams team principal, cites several key reasons for his assessment:
The current Mercedes driver lineup offers stability and potential, with George Russell performing consistently and Kimi showing continuous improvement in qualifying sessions after just four grand prix races.
While acknowledging Verstappen's exceptional talent, particularly highlighting his impressive performance in Japan, Vowles points out that bringing him to Mercedes could have significant downsides. The team's existing culture benefits from two drivers who are maximizing the car's potential, with one showing promising development.
This perspective comes amid increasing speculation about Verstappen's future, fueled by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko's comments about potential performance clauses in Verstappen's contract. While Aston Martin has been linked to a potential big-money move for the champion, and Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen was spotted speaking with Alpine's team principal, Verstappen himself has dismissed the speculation, stating that "a lot of people are talking about it, except me."
Formula 1