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 significant “quandary” in the event that they managed to efficiently poach Verstappen from rivals Purple Bull, as they would want to dump both George Russell or Kimi Antonelli.
The issue then extends to how Verstappen’s future teammate would cope alongside him. Lots of his earlier teammates, most not too long ago 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 gasoline to the hypothesis that he could possibly be the one to make approach 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 may depart highly-rated Silver Arrows protege Antonelli and not using a 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 is going to Mercedes do?
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell
“The Max to Mercedes chat has all the time fascinated and confused me. There’s no questioning he’s one of the best 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 may signify. He’s having in all probability his finest yr in F1. And but Antonelli is the anointed inheritor, hand picked and personally guided by Toto to be the staff’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 rigorously curated improvement being derailed by the relentless brilliance of Max? Drop Kimi and also you both pause his development in a reserve position or lose him fully, after which have to hope George doesn’t go the identical approach as everybody else lined up with Max.
“There’s no query each staff on the grid would do something to safe Max, he’s that good. However Mercedes have all the time been pragmatic. All the time regarded 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 quick time period, the place Mercedes have all the time regarded additional forward?
“After all there’s all the time the chance Mercedes drops no person and all of this discuss is politicking throughout the wider context of contract negotiations that reach past Mercedes.
“There’s all the time the chance that Mercedes have a really tough resolution to make. Fascinating instances.”
A bombshell report by Sky Italy claims Verstappen is open to leaving Purple Bull to affix Mercedes and that talks have intensified forward of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
The subject is prone to dominate the agenda throughout Thursday’s media day within the F1 paddock at Silverstone.
