F1 News: Max Verstappen's Rumoured Mercedes Move "Illogical" - "Should Stay At Red Bull"
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has deemed Max Verstappen's potential switch to Mercedes as "illogical" and advised him to remain with Red Bull for future success. This advice comes amidst speculation and turmoil within the Red Bull team, contrasting with Verstappen's own commitment to stay until 2028.
Key Takeaways:
- Johnny Herbert labels Max Verstappen's speculated move to Mercedes as "illogical," citing the latter's recent struggles and Red Bull's winning potential.
- Internal tensions within Red Bull, particularly criticisms from Jos Verstappen, might be influencing the speculation around Max's future.
- Despite rumours and team controversies, Verstappen has reaffirmed his dedication to Red Bull, intending to honour his contract until 2028.
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Rumours about Max Verstappen's future, particularly concerning a possible shift to Mercedes, have been flooding the F1 paddock. This speculation gained traction following insights from Johnny Herbert who suggested that discussions between Verstappen and Mercedes were advancing. However, Herbert also expressed concerns about this move, considering Mercedes' recent performance dips and the prevailing harmony at Red Bull being a critical factor for Verstappen's continued success.
Verstappen's potential departure from Red Bull has been compounded by internal discord, notably voiced by his father, Jos Verstappen. The latter's critiques of the team's environment under Christian Horner's leadership have added layers to the speculation. Nonetheless, Verstappen has put a stop to such rumours by confirming his commitment to Red Bull until 2028, amid the team's challenging times highlighted by an investigation involving Horner and tensions within the team dynamics.
In light of these developments, Herbert questions the logic behind such a move. He argues that for Verstappen, staying with Red Bull represents a clearer path to continued success in the championship. He explained to BetIdeas.com:
"Lewis has left because he doesn’t feel the team can provide him with a car to win his eighth world title. That makes sense.
"For Max to go there would not be a logical choice. If you really want to continue winning world championships, then Max should stay at Red Bull.
"But for that to happen, harmony has to return. The crux will be whether Helmut Marko stays. If Helmut leaves then Max will too."