Is Vowles right to advise Mercedes against signing Verstappen? Our writers have their say

James Vowles brought about fairly the stir on Friday on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when the Williams Formulation 1 boss prompt that Mercedes shouldn’t signal Max Verstappen.

The way forward for the four-time world champion is at the moment underneath query, as Crimson Bull has regressed since beginning the 2024 Formulation 1 season as essentially the most dominant outfit.

Verstappen’s workforce is at the moment third within the 2025 standings, resulting in Crimson Bull advisor Helmut Marko claiming he’s apprehensive about shedding the Dutchman regardless of his contract working till the tip of 2028.

Crimson Bull boss Christian Horner claimed the rumours are simply “noise”, but the “noise” shouldn’t be going away with two groups rising as doable touchdown spots for Verstappen: Aston Martin and Mercedes.

Aston Martin has simply signed legendary designer and Verstappen’s former colleague Adrian Newey, whereas the long-term way forward for its driver Fernando Alonso can be doubtful contemplating he’s 43 years previous.

In the meantime, Verstappen has lengthy been linked with Mercedes, together with final 12 months when it was trying to find Lewis Hamilton’s alternative.

James Vowles, Williams

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs

Vowles stated of the state of affairs: “I do not assume anybody within the room would deny that he’s extraordinary in what he can do, and Japan [Verstappen’s only win in 2025 to date] was, for me, jaw-dropping.

“Properly finished to him however he comes with a variety of downsides as effectively that now we have to acknowledge and I believe what Mercedes does have is a superb tradition with two drivers which can be delivering close to to the height of the automotive, and with one which’s on the way in which up. So I personally do not assume that is a spot for him.”

So, ought to Mercedes tear up its secure and substitute both George Russell or rookie hotshot Andrea Kimi Antonelli with Verstappen? Our writers have their say…

Verstappen is F1’s greatest driver however not well worth the danger for Mercedes – Jake Boxall-Legge

James Vowles’ evaluation of the place Max Verstappen would match into Mercedes’ future plans does look like eminently wise; it is arduous to see the place the four-time champion suits in on the workforce. it dispassionately, and drivers as nothing greater than knowledge units and metrics, then you definately’d at the very least contemplate it – however provided that you did not have drivers that have been already doing an extremely sterling job.

For those who’re eight of the ten groups on the grid, then sure, Verstappen must be on the wishlist. Crimson Bull must be throwing an Ikea showroom’s value of kitchen sinks at conserving him glad, whereas Aston Martin would certainly have sway given its funding and seize of Crimson Bull’s two earlier large belongings in Adrian Newey and Honda. However the Silverstone squad has Fernando Alonso underneath contract, whereas Lance Stroll will likely be on the workforce till the warmth dying of the universe. So, 2026 could be an optimistic name.

Ferrari? Like Aston, it is a tough one; perhaps it is one for 2027. So it does not precisely go away Verstappen with a plethora of choices, even when he needed to leap ship on the finish of the 12 months.

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs

Mercedes could be risking so much to take him. In George Russell, it has one of many star performers of the season thus far; the Briton has picked up the workforce chief mantle with nice gusto, and has been glorious within the opening 4 races.

In Andrea Kimi Antonelli, it has the subsequent celebrity; an 18-year-old rookie who has nice aptitude and velocity, however wants a few seasons to construct a shell of battle-hardened expertise round his prodigious expertise. If the workforce is contemplating Verstappen, then it has to contemplate whether or not it could be glad to dump both driver. On the proof of their seasons thus far, and their anticipated trajectory within the subsequent couple of years, it is arduous to see Toto Wolff ripping up his plans to convey Verstappen in.

You’d achieve F1’s greatest driver on the grid, however you’d probably lose workforce concord and alienate two drivers who – cliche alert – bleed silver. It might be a short-termist transfer for a workforce very a lot centered on the long run, and that is why it does not actually match.

Mercedes could be silly to overlook out on Verstappen for a 3rd time – Ronald Vording

“One way or the other I nonetheless have that feeling our paths will cross someday,” Toto Wolff stated throughout a session for Dutch media in Zandvoort. The Mercedes workforce boss defined that he held talks with Max Verstappen till the summer season break and added that the possibility to signal him was “not zero”. Afterwards, Wolff emphasised that every one focus is on the present line-up, as a great workforce boss ought to do.

However the quotes present that Wolff considered signing Verstappen greater than as soon as throughout his F1 profession. The story famously goes again to 2014, when Max was nonetheless in European F3 and the Verstappens have been weighing up all their choices to get into F1. Wolff most well-liked a studying 12 months in F2, Crimson Bull provided a beautiful shortcut to F1 utilizing its sister workforce.

However, as Wolff stated, paths should cross someday and, wanting on the present state of affairs, that likelihood most likely hasn’t lowered to zero simply but. Verstappen has the luxurious of assessing all his choices once more. Along with his standing as a four-time world champion, doorways will most likely open at Mercedes and Aston Martin if he needs to maneuver, both in direction of 2026 or one 12 months into the brand new set of laws.

Wolff beforehand missed the possibility of signing Verstappen for 2015

Picture by: Patrik Lundin / Motorsport Photographs

By then it’ll be clear who has the very best package deal however, financially, making a transfer for 2026 might be attention-grabbing. If Mercedes seems to be the dominant power within the new period, then Wolff doesn’t must lay our a fortune on drivers’ salaries any extra. Now the pecking order remains to be an unknown, which in principle makes the bargaining place of Verstappen a bit stronger. Matching astronomical figures that flow into about Aston Martin may be tough, however Verstappen already stated that he’s not racing in F1 for the cash. He merely needs to be in the very best automotive. And getting the pay cheque out doesn’t should be an issue for Mercedes both – given the backing from Daimler and the truth that drivers’ salaries aren’t included within the funds cap.

In fact, James Vowles has pointed to potential downsides, however Wolff is aware of the Verstappen household very effectively for a very long time and is a greater than succesful supervisor. Any of the potential downsides that Vowles has talked about don’t have to be a difficulty. After which two main benefits stay for Mercedes: signing Verstappen would safe the companies of arguably the quickest and most constant driver on the grid and affords very attention-grabbing PR alternatives for the model. Weakening the opposition may be an additional purpose for Wolff to contemplate it and attempt to make occur what didn’t work in 2014 or 2024.

Third time a attraction? If even the slightest likelihood would possibly come up, then Mercedes could be silly to not go for it.