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Red Bull sets the record straight: Verstappen never an option for Mercedes
- Corwin Kunst
Mercedes put a stop to Max Verstappen coming to the 2025 team this summer break. The Brackley-based team had long hoped to entice the reigning world champion, but Verstappen's arrival proved unfeasible. According to Christian Horner, his driver was "never" available to Toto Wolff.
"As we've been stating all the way through the year, we know what our agreement is with Max," Horner revealed to Sky Sports News. "Max knows what his agreement is with us. And, you know, he's certainly not available to Mercedes for 2025, never was."
Mercedes now appears to be opting for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 17-year-old Italian skipped Formula 3 and is currently driving on behalf of Prema in F2."So, I'm sure whatever options they choose to take, they've they've thought thought carefully about. And if they choose to give Antonelli the seat, then, you know, you've got to commend them for that. And I think that's a good thing for taking a risk with a youngster." The Brit said.
Red Bull juniors with a chance of an F1 seat:
Red Bull itself has Isack Hadjar driving in Formula 2. The young Frenchman leads the standings there but does not have an F1 seat next year. Liam Lawson is a little higher up the pecking order, but even he is not yet certain to join either Red Bull Racing or Visa Cash App RB in 2025.