Mercedes face a “complication” in the event that they signal Max Verstappen, Will Buxton has claimed.
The previous F1 presenter believes Mercedes would have a serious “quandary” in the event that they managed to efficiently poach Verstappen from rivals Purple Bull, as they would wish to dump both George Russell or Kimi Antonelli.
The issue then extends to how Verstappen’s future teammate would cope alongside him. A lot of his earlier teammates, most lately Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez, have been unable to match him in equal equipment.
Russell is out of contract subsequent season and is but to be given an extension, which has solely added gas to the hypothesis that he could possibly be the one to make manner within the occasion Mercedes lured Verstappen.
Mercedes Toto Wolff has admitted to holding talks with Verstappen and is open to pairing the Dutchman alongside Russell, a situation which might depart highly-rated Silver Arrows protege Antonelli with no drive following his rookie F1 season.
Buxton took to social media to mull over the conundrum Mercedes faces concerning their 2026 driver line-up.
What’s going to Mercedes do?
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell
“The Max to Mercedes chat has at all times fascinated and confused me. There’s no questioning he’s the most effective driver in F1, however to create space Mercedes have a quandary,” Buxton wrote.
“They’ve invested closely in George’s profession and in getting ready him for the shot on the title that 2026 might signify. He’s having most likely his greatest 12 months in F1. And but Antonelli is the anointed inheritor, hand picked and personally guided by Toto to be the group’s long run future.
“A play for Max means both sacrificing their funding within the current or their future. However past that it provides an additional complication in a lot as what occurs to Verstappen’s teammates. As a result of issues historically don’t finish nicely. He’s so good that he doesn’t simply dominate, he destroys.
“Drop George, and do you danger Kimi’s fastidiously curated improvement being derailed by the relentless brilliance of Max? Drop Kimi and also you both pause his development in a reserve function or lose him totally, after which have to wish George doesn’t go the identical manner as everybody else lined up with Max.
“There’s no query each group on the grid would do something to safe Max, he’s that good. However Mercedes have at all times been pragmatic. All the time appeared long run. Securing Max takes him away from their rivals, it additional unsettles an already shaky Purple Bull, however does it play solely to the brief time period, the place Mercedes have at all times appeared additional forward?
“In fact there’s at all times the chance Mercedes drops no one and all of this speak is politicking throughout the wider context of contract negotiations that reach past Mercedes.
“There’s at all times the chance that Mercedes have a really tough determination to make. Fascinating instances.”
A bombshell report by Sky Italy claims Verstappen is open to leaving Purple Bull to hitch Mercedes and that talks have intensified forward of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
The subject is more likely to dominate the agenda throughout Thursday’s media day within the F1 paddock at Silverstone.
