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Verstappen might have to win a World Championship with Red Bull

08:47, 09 Dec 2020

byGPblog.com

George Russell made a great impression on his debut for Mercedes, and that has brought about certain changes to the image of the future. After all, the door at Mercedes now seems to be closed to Max Verstappen.

Max Verstappen has been a Red Bull driver since 2015, but so far has had little success. The Dutchman has already won several races, but has never really competed for the world title. Many fans would therefore like to see him in a Mercedes, but that chance seems to have diminished last weekend.

Close door for Verstappen

Because of Russell's strong performance, Auto, Motor und Sport now states that Verstappen might have to become World Champion with Red Bull Racing. Verstappen already has a contract until 2023, but Mercedes always seemed to be an option. According to the German medium, however, Mercedes do not need the Dutchman at all now.

With Lewis Hamilton they already have a driver who can win the victories and titles and George Russell has proven to be the future of the German team. In any case, the door of Mercedes is closed for Verstappen, who will have to do everything possible to bring Red Bull to the top after all.

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8 Comments

Ejeh Dennis Glenn 09 December 2020 at 12:12+ 8

This caption stated a short term fact, but it is still possible for two talented drivers to race together in one team. Max and Bottas performance against George was the correct way to race against a hyped new comer. Hamilton is the ultimate to beat, but in his absence you will not be so sure how to race against a powerful new comer. You have nothing to gain beating them, but could lose your reputation. So instincts would kick in that a newcomer would drive zealously like hell and you guys could crash..So it would be best to keep an arms length from them, and put them on pressure if they lead...surely the mistakes would come, and you would win them somehow. That was why Max and Bottas seemed to drive cautiously, not because they lacked confidence, but 'fear of the unknowns' was their motivating factor. There would be plenty of time to try and win after the chaos of the opening...miind you the advantages between cars were minimal in the high speed track of Sakhir GP, so you have to drive accurately till the end and hope no disaster befell you, which is less likely for the race leaders! Perez win demonstrated all the eccentricities that can happen at Sakhir GP...where was Leclerc, Verstapprn, Bottas and Russell at the end of the show? Crazy to think about it...

Fez Nene 09 December 2020 at 12:54+ 17880

So true.... I'm glad Checo won... but can you imagine if Max n Charl raced to the end.... we would be telling a different story....

F1Aficionado 10 December 2020 at 01:32+ 2477

Charles wouldn‘t have made it far, not for lack of his skills (love the guy) but the terrible ? he has to drive this year.

Max vs. George (and behind them Bottas vs. Checo vs. Charles) could have been REALLY interesting though...!

Fez Nene 09 December 2020 at 11:06+ 17880

I can't help but wonder how the last race would have ended, had Max finished at the end.... and Charl for that matter. ...

Fez Nene 09 December 2020 at 11:02+ 17880

Toto had said that a number of times... there must have been a reason on his side. Jist like Max is loyal to his team...

Paul Lynch 09 December 2020 at 11:46+ 165

Or he's scared of having competition . Hence why redbull won't get rid of albon . It's been at least 2 years since max has had an challenge from his teammate . He's on a car that is in the middle of nowhere . I can't really rember the past time I saw max having a proper battle

F1Aficionado 10 December 2020 at 01:47+ 2477

That‘s totally unfounded, borderline conspiracy level but at least highly speculative talk there dude.

I can’t see Max being scared of having competition (he completely wrecked Dani Ric) - he just HAS NONE. Neither Gasly nor Albon - not last season, not this one, - are anywhere near Ricciardo‘s level.

And the latter was seduced by a mischievous Cyril Abiteboul („They have no engine - and we will have a top3 car at least next year!“ YEAH, RIGHT :D ) instead of taking on the challenge of facing Max. But DRic ran after having ONE very Vettel/Leclerc year with Max.

That is precisely Red Bull‘s problem: Dani Ric didn‘t feel supported enough by the team (and probably was not entirely wrong; everybody mainly focused on the then superyoung „golden boy“)... and the rest just didn‘t cut it.

Albon isn‘t fired YET - I still hope he would be. His performances lately are an absolute joke. BUT: a) he IS a Red Bull driver b) is Thai and even has ties to the royal family there - everybody knows Red Bull is 51% Thai, 49% Austrian owned and c) drove really strong last season: Rookie of the year if I remember correctly? He was quite decent in both teams he was involved with.

However, for whatever reason, he never really reached that form or confidence again at any point this season. And I doubt more and more there will be another for him (at least at Red Bull).

How is that Max‘ fault though? Or: how does that show his „fear of competition“?

Neil Henderson 09 December 2020 at 08:58+ 3182

who writes these articles ? i love how they're untitled - written by gpblog. as if any team is going to categorically close the door on the fastest and most consistent of the new guns; maybe a generational talent. that's hilarious. things can happen and change quickly in sport. ok so not that much in the recent past with f1 and mercedes but who knows what might happen after the rules change in 2022 ? it is simply comical to suggest that a driver with the talent and potential of verstappen would not be considered by any top team in future.