Williams workforce principal James Vowles believes Mercedes isn’t the vacation spot for Max Verstappen if he have been to go away Pink Bull on the finish of this season.
Verstappen’s future has usually been a subject of dialog, however this season has seen Pink Bull advisor Helmut Marko repeatedly voicing considerations that efficiency clauses might be triggered that will permit the Dutchman to maneuver elsewhere. Whereas Aston Martin has been linked with a big-money transfer for Verstappen, Mercedes was additionally courting him final 12 months and has but to decide to both of its present drivers for 2026, however Vowles doesn’t see a pairing of the reigning world champion and George Russell making sense.
“I don’t suppose so,” stated Vowles, who served as Mercedes motorsport technique director earlier than his transfer to Williams. “I feel they’re two very completely different characters. I’d additionally say I’m not Toto [Wolff], however I feel he’s received a extremely good driver line-up for the long run, I feel, with Kimi [Antonelli].
“Sure, I’m biased, as a result of I labored with him for a protracted time period, however Kimi, in case you simply have a look at the steps he’s making in qualifying, he’s making steps each single week, and he’s solely pushed successfully 4 grand prix races. He’s on an excellent pathway to be very, very aggressive, so you retain investing in that.
“And George is delivering, I feel. I imply, he’s been a bit quiet, however you’ll be able to’t actually fault something he’s achieved this 12 months.
“So are you able to add a tiny bit extra efficiency? Sure, by way of Max. I feel there’s extra efficiency to be added by way of Max. I don’t suppose anybody within the room would deny that he’s extraordinary in what he can do. Japan was, for me, jaw-dropping. Effectively achieved to him. However he comes with a variety of downsides as properly that you must acknowledge.
“I feel what Mercedes does have is a superb tradition with two drivers which are delivering close to to the height of the automobile, and with one which’s on the best way up. So I personally don’t suppose that’s the place for him.”
Verstappen’s supervisor Raymond Vermeulen was filmed talking to Alpine workforce principal Ollie Oakes earlier within the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, whereas the motive force himself dismissed hypothesis referring to his future on Thursday, stating that “lots of people are speaking about it, besides me.”
