F1 News: Former Driver Makes Big Claim On Max Verstappen Mercedes Move -"Would Be St*pid"
Former driver Giancarlo Fisichella has revealed that it would be "stupid" of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen to move to Mercedes, considering the obvious factors such as having the best team and the best car on the F1 grid, currently.
Key Takeaways:
- Former F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella advises against Max Verstappen's potential move from Red Bull to Mercedes, citing Red Bull's current status as the best team with the best car on the grid.
- Speculation about potential replacements for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes intensifies after his announcement of departure for Ferrari in 2025.
- Internal discord within Red Bull surfaces as Max Verstappen's father calls for the removal of team boss Christian Horner, while advisor Helmut Marko faces the possibility of suspension before the Australian Grand Prix. Verstappen expresses loyalty to Marko and suggests that leaving Red Bull would negatively impact his standing within the team.
Since Lewis Hamilton announced his Mercedes departure for Ferrari, scheduled for 2025, the rumor mill has been churning hard to suggest potential replacements for the seven-time world champion.
While Verstappen's name was an extremely far-fetched possibility, the most recent and perhaps one of the biggest controversies to have struck Red Bull and F1 has ensured that the rumor mill revs at higher RPMs.
Amidst calls from Max Verstappen's father, Jos, for the removal of team boss Christian Horner, internal division within the ranks has reached unprecedented levels. Verstappen himself acknowledged the oddity of being on the opposite side of his father in this matter.
However, the matter has become more critical after Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko, who shares a close relationship with Verstappen, revealed this week that there is a possibility of him being suspended by Red Bull before the Australian Grand Prix.
Marko has played a pivotal role in recruiting crucial talents to the team, including Verstappen, former driver Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz, and numerous others. Verstappen, expressing loyalty to Marko, emphasized that leaving Red Bull would have a detrimental impact on his standing within the team.
Amidst the brewing controversies, Fisichella has questioned Verstappen's potential move to Mercedes if it does happen anytime soon. Speaking to OCB Scores, he said:
"Anything is possible in Formula 1 and in life, you just never know. Nobody expected to see Lewis Hamillton moving from Mercedes and especially closing the deal with Ferrari. Nobody expected that.
"But we don't know if Max will join Mercedes, next year or in the future. In the place where he is now with the best team and the best car – it’s stupid move to another team.
"The salary is good at Red Bull and it could be the same or even more in Mercedes so who knows?
"But you know, you got a winning car, you are at the top of the world at the moment. Why, why move to another team?"