Since the situation surrounding Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner, there have been rumors throughout the Formula 1 paddock that Max Verstappen may be looking for a new employer. Ralf Schumacher thinks that Mercedes would be a good fit for the reigning world champion. At the same time, he also sees Fernando Alonso going to Red Bull.
Things have been going on at Red Bull Racing for some time since Horner was accused of inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague. After a month-long independent investigation, Red Bull GmbH rejected the complaint, but that was not the end of the matter. An anonymous email circulated in Bahrain containing photos of alleged WhatsApp conversations between Horner and the employee. It resulted in an argument between Jos Verstappen and Horner, after which Max’s father entered into discussions with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. Max has also stated that he is loyal to Jos, his manager Raymond Vermeulen and Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko.
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Mercedes good alternative
It is not known whether Verstappen will actually switch from Red Bull to the Silver Arrows. Ralf Schumacher, who is currently close to the energy drink manufacturer, thinks the Dutchman would be a good fit for Mercedes: “Max Verstappen speaks German and therefore Mercedes would be a very good alternative for him,” the six-time Grand Prix winner told Sky Sports Deutschland. “And he could also fit in well in terms of personality. But that’s not the point yet. Theoretically, he still has to get out of his contract first. Helmut Marko could of course take care of that, since his contract is actually linked to that of Max Verstappen. I don’t think they will stand in his way at Red Bull if he wants to leave.”
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No sabotage, but carelessness
After the Australian Grand Prix, some came up with a conspiracy theory that Verstappen’s car had been sabotaged because he retired for the first time in two years, especially now that things are going wrong at Red Bull. “Of course it was a small thing, of course it was a coincidence,” Schumacher responded to that theory. “But it does show that the whole discussion about team boss Christian Horner does not stop until it causes damage to the team. There is talk of a careless mistake in assembling the brakes, but of course we don’t know more than that. What What we do know for sure is that the team is still divided, that there are tensions with Max’s father and that Max is thinking about an alternative.”
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Alonso’s successor to Verstappen
Alonso is currently seen as Verstappen’s successor, suppose the championship leader decides to leave and Schumacher understands that. “Not only Max, but also the team is thinking about an alternative. Christian Horner has always been a big fan of Fernando Alonso. In the background, the intention is to bring in Fernando Alonso for next year, when Max Verstappen leaves the team “, to still have a strong driver. If Alonso can come to Red Bull at the end of his career, with a car with which he can win, then of course he will want to.”
