Mercedes faces “issues” when signing Max Verstappen, Will Buxton argued.
The previous Formulation One presenter believes Mercedes has a “tough” main “confusion” if he can efficiently chase Verstappen from rival Purple Bull, as he might want to offload both George Russell or Kimi Antonelli.
The query lies in how Verstappen’s future teammates will cope with him. Lots of his earlier teammates, not too long ago Tsunoda and Sergio Perez, haven’t been in a position to match him with an equal machine.
Russell has completed his contract subsequent season and has not but been given an extension. This solely provides gas to hypothesis that he may make a means within the occasion that Mercedes seduced Verstappen.
Mercedes Toto Wolf has confirmed consultations with Verstappen and is open to combining the Dutchman with Russell, a situation that might depart a extremely rated Silver Arrow Proteggiantonelli with out a drive following his rookie F1 season.
Buxton went to social media to ponder the Cornram Mercedes face when it got here to the 2026 driver lineup.
What does Mercedes do?
Kimi Antoneri and George Russell
“The Mercedes-to-Mercedes chat has at all times fascinated me and confused me. I’ve little question that he’s the most effective driver in Formulation 1, however I’m confused by House Mercedes,” Buxton writes.
“They invested closely in George’s profession and getting ready for a shot in a title that 2026 can characterize. He is most likely his finest yr in Formulation 1. Nonetheless, Antonelli is an anointed inheritor, chosen by hand and personally led him to turn into the long-term way forward for the crew.
“Max’s play means sacrificeing investments within the current or future. However past that, it provides further complexity to what occurs to Verstappen’s teammates.
“Do you threat dropping George and your fastidiously curated growth going off observe by Max’s unforgiving glow?
“There isn’t a doubt that each crew on the grid will do something to safe a Max. However Mercedes has at all times been sensible, and it at all times appeared long-term.
“In fact, there may be at all times an opportunity that nobody will drop, and all of this discuss is political within the broader context of contract negotiations that reach past Mercedes.
“There may be at all times an opportunity that Mercedes will make very tough choices. A gorgeous time.”
Sky Italy’s bomb report claims Verstappen is open to leaving Purple Bull to affix Mercedes, with talks being tightened forward of the UK’s Grand Prix this weekend.
This subject may dominate the agenda throughout Thursday’s Media Day at Silverstone’s Formulation One Paddock.
