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Max Verstappen is potentially facing an uncomfortable summer break for numerous reasons after seeing Red Bull’s pace advantage eroded
A season that began with such unerring dominance, has faltered in recent months for Max Verstappen. After winning 19 races out of 22 last year, another season of F1 tedium looked on the cards thanks to Red Bull’s winning machine.
However, in pleasant and much-needed surprise, Verstappen and Red Bull have been reeled in by their rivals, with Ferrari, McLaren and, most recently, Mercedes all tasting victory this season. It would still take a brave punter to bet against the Dutchman making it four drivers’ titles in a row, but everything is far from rosy in the Red Bull garden at present.
There’s the continuing feud between Verstappen’s dad, Jos, and team principal Christian Horner and the lack of help he is receiving upfront from previously-reliable team-mate Sergio Perez. With the summer break looming, it could get worse for Verstappen…
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Team principal Toto Wolff has been as subtle as a sledgehammer when asked about his interest in Verstappen, who has been cool, although not dismissive, about the prospect of joining Mercedes. Signing for Mercedes for 2025 would have looked like madness a couple of months ago following another poor start to the season for the Brackley squad.
However, with Mercedes winning the last two races and having finally got to grips with the current regulations, it’s suddenly looking like an attractive proposition. Verstappen has stressed being in the best possible car is key to his future. Only last month he said: “Of course people are talking, but it’s most important that we have a very competitive car for the future. It is very tight on track, but we are working as a team to try and improve.”
However, Red Bull not necessarily having the best car anymore has muddied the waters. If he is having second thoughts about his immediate future, Verstappen may need to make up his mind soon with Mercedes ready to promote teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli, who secured his first F2 victory in the Sprint race at Silverstone. If the Silver Arrows make that decision soon, it could close the Mercedes door on Verstappen, possibly forever.
