Lewis Hamilton, the acclaimed British driver transitioning to Ferrari next year, has hinted that Mercedes might ambitiously target Max Verstappen as his successor amidst his departure.
The unexpected move by Hamilton to Ferrari has stirred the Formula One community, leading to speculation about potential shifts in team dynamics and driver alignments.
Hamilton, reflecting on his own unforeseen switch, believes Mercedes may pursue Red Bull’s Verstappen for the 2025 season.
He shared with journalists, “My move has shown that anything’s possible, and it’s going to be a really interesting next six months or so. I don’t have an extra scoop.
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“I know that… I’m sure Max is on the list, but I’m pretty sure he’s tied up, and also, I couldn’t see why you would leave a car that is that good.”
Verstappen, bound by a contract until 2028, has a speculated exit clause linked to the departure of Dr. Helmut Marko from the championship-winning team.
This comes amidst controversy surrounding team principal Christian Horner and allegations of misconduct, leading to the suspension of the accuser.
Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, has voiced concerns over the internal discord potentially fracturing the team, a sentiment Max has not publicly disputed.
Despite the turmoil, Verstappen remains focused on his current commitments, particularly with the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
He remarked, “Nobody would have seen that Lewis would move to Ferrari.
“You never know in general life what happens, or comes to you, or happens around you or what might influence you.
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“So you can never say 100 percent that that is how it is going to be… but I am very relaxed and very happy at the team and the performance is there, so there is no reason to leave.”
This narrative underscores the unpredictable nature of Formula One, with Hamilton’s departure and potential shake-ups on the horizon.
Verstappen’s future, despite his current contentment at Red Bull, remains a subject of speculation as the F1 community watches closely for any shifts in the driver lineup.