Max Verstappen continues to be linked with a surprise move to Mercedes. 11: 29, Sat, Aug 10, 2024 | UPDATED: 11: 29, Sat, Aug 10, 2024
Adrian Newey’s manager Eddie Jordan believes Max Verstappen will join Mercedes (Image: GETTY)
Eddie Jordan has talked up the possibility of Max Verstappen joining Mercedes by insisting he would be ‘anything but surprised’ if the move goes ahead. Verstappen continues to be linked with a surprise switch to the Silver Arrows due to the internal turmoil at Red Bull this season.
The Dutchman remains tied down to Red Bull until the end of 2028 but it has been speculated that he could seek an early exit. Aston Martin have recently been linked with an ambitious move for his signature but Mercedes would appear to be the frontrunners given their long-term interest.
Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley will be leaving Red Bull in the near future, with the former said to be joining Aston Martin and the latter taking over as Audi team principal next year. Those exits have prompted Jordan to admit that he would not be surprised to see Verstappen driving for Mercedes sooner than expected.
The Dutchman continues to be linked with a surprise move to the Silver Arrows (Image: GETTY)
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Jordan, who is Newey’s manager, told F1-insider: “The turmoil at Red Bull, the departures of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, cannot please Max and his father. In addition, Mercedes has turned the corner and is getting stronger and stronger. I would therefore be anything but surprised if Max switches to Mercedes in 2026.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made no secret of his desire to link up with Verstappen if the opportunity presents itself. The Silver Arrows are expected to promote Kimi Antonelli to replace Lewis Hamilton next year but are still believed to be keen on a future move for Verstappen.
Speaking about the possibility of signing the Red Bull man earlier this year, Wolff said: “There’s so many factors that play a role for a driver joining. Clearly, when you look at it from the most rational point of view, you can say: ‘Well, that’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver’.
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“But I don’t think that this is the only reason you stay where you are. I think, let’s say, for simple minds that might be the only reason why you stay in a car and that’s it. Maybe there is more depth to other people who consider other factors too and I think Max has depth.
“In that respect are we going to convince him? I don’t think it’s a matter of convincing. I think Max knows motor racing better than anyone and he will take decisions that he feels are good for him and I think a few factors play a role but he’s the one that’s going to trigger some more domino stones to fall afterwards.
“Everybody’s waiting for what he’s going to be doing. If I was Max, I would stay at Red Bull for 2025, but I’m not Max. It is the quickest car, but there are other factors.”
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