Williams crew principal James Vowles believes Mercedes just isn’t the vacation spot for Max Verstappen if he have been to depart Purple Bull on the finish of this season.
Verstappen’s future has usually been a subject of dialog, however this season has seen Purple Bull advisor Helmut Marko repeatedly voicing considerations that efficiency clauses may very well be triggered that might enable 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 assume so,” mentioned Vowles, who served as Mercedes motorsport technique director earlier than his transfer to Williams. “I believe they’re two very totally different characters. I’d additionally say I’m not Toto [Wolff], however I believe he’s received a very good driver line-up for the longer term, I believe, with Kimi [Antonelli].
“Sure, I’m biased, as a result of I labored with him for a protracted time period, however Kimi, should you simply take 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 believe. I imply, he’s been a bit quiet, however you may’t actually fault something he’s executed this 12 months.
“So are you able to add a tiny bit extra efficiency? Sure, by way of Max. I believe there may be extra efficiency to be added by way of Max. I don’t assume anybody within the room would deny that he’s extraordinary in what he can do. Japan was, for me, jaw-dropping. Nicely executed to him. However he comes with plenty of downsides as effectively that it’s a must to acknowledge.
“I believe what Mercedes does have is a superb tradition with two drivers which might be delivering close to to the height of the automotive, and with one which’s on the best way up. So I personally don’t assume that’s the place for him.”
Verstappen’s supervisor Raymond Vermeulen was filmed chatting with Alpine crew 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.”
