Horner: 'Verstappen is naturally on top of Mercedes' list if Hamilton leaves'
15:54, 15 Feb 2021
10 Comments
Red Bull officially announced on Monday that it will take over the Honda engines after 2022. Thanks to a freeze in the engine regulations, they should then be able to remain competitive. Should the prospects not be good, Max Verstappen might leave.
That opportunity could arise as early as next season when Lewis Hamilton's contract expires and a performance clause could be triggered for Verstappen. Horner is also taking this into account. "I am sure that if Lewis decides to quit, Max will of course be at the top of Mercedes' list," Horner told the Independent and others.
Horner confident of clause not being used
"The reality is, that yes of course - as always - there are performance-related clauses in Max's contract."
But according to Horner, there is no reason to think Verstappen will use them now. Apart from the fact that Mercedes have other talents at their disposal (George Russell), there are no problems between Verstappen and Red Bull at the moment.
Verstappen believes in (and is aware of) the investments Red Bull is making for him. It's up to Red Bull to deliver on that promise. "The point is that you shouldn't force a driver who doesn't want to be here to stay. I am confident that we will not have to invoke contractual clauses. It will be up to us to deliver a competitive car," Horner said.
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Max(Very fast) in a Merc(Very fast) will break the record of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel of 13 wins in a year.....easy....
"The reality is, that yes of course - as always - there are performance-related clauses in Max's contract."
Red Bull is a copy of Ferrari at this issue (enormous pressure on drivers,& not very good working conditions.
Russell and Max in one team is a Prost and Senna take II ??
And how soon before you tire of them winning because they are in the best car? See that fallacy in your argument. You want Max in the best Car. Then you have to claim it's the car and not Max, just like you do with Lewis. That's why your argument is just plain stupid. But then again...........I'm shocked!
Real F1 fans never get tired of witnessing a titanic duels between two REAL racers like Russell and Max in any equal cars.
Now, you Carol is just an idiot and don't even know how to count beyond 10, so please go and watch some cooking show and spare us your shining ignorance.
You have no business to be on a racing website. Go back to your hubby. He needs the feminine touch, that's if you still have any.
ByeHam'sFakeMom ?
George Russell will be at the top of the list.He is already contracted to Mercedes.Unlike Red Bull, Mercedes is loyal to their drivers. Red Bull is a one Driver outfit. They do everything for the #1 driver and basically ignore #2. It would make more sense for them to developed #2 as well instead of letting Max run everyone off the team as they are made to feel inferior to Max. It's a bad business plan. Mercedes keeps its drivers happy. How many people have run from Red Bull? If they want to put all their eggs in the Max basket, if he leaves they are lost.
Exactly... that's why they resorted to blackmail.. didn't they threaten to leave the sport to get what they want. Now, same for Max... "we are building n investing in tjis venture specifically for you"... Jos doesn't play, if Merc wants Max, he will leave them like used goods... we will experience the war of driver vs team bosses...
I don't think Toto is willing to deal with Jos and he doesn't have to. He has Russell. They had enough with two #1s on a team with Hamilton & Rosberg. They vowed to NEVER do that again!
Of course.. not! Im talking abt if Max leaves RB... he'll stop being the golden boy.. but the war of Max n Jos against Marko n Horner will ensue.. since they're investing for Max... not all drivers n the team!
Verstappen believes in (and is aware of) the investments Red Bull is making for him.... That there... is emotional blackmail that he feels bad for you. . Why would you invest for one man, a driver, that you're not even sure will stay if Lewis retires...