There was a period in 2024 when Toto Wolff seriously considered the idea of bringing Max Verstappen to Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s successor. However, as is well known, nothing came of this and such plans are now on hold.
In this context, Formula 1 expert Gary Anderson believes that a move from Max Verstappen to Mercedes would not be a good idea in the future anyway – for both sides. The long-time Formula 1 designer believes that the Dutchman is in good hands at Red Bull.
“He’s not a Toto Wolff type,” says Anderson in the “Formula For Success” podcast about the four-time world champion and explains: “Max is a personality.” And with this Verstappen is a much better fit for the Bulls than for a team like Mercedes.
Verstappen made his Formula 1 debut in 2015 for the Red Bull sister team Toro Rosso and was promoted to the A team the following year, for which he still drives today. And the racing team from Milton Keynes was also “the right environment” for him, said Anderson.
The 73-year-old is therefore “not sure” whether Verstappen would deliver such good performances in another team as he currently does at Red Bull. From a sporting perspective, a change makes no sense for the Dutchman as long as he continues to have a competitive car for the Bulls.
Anderson: Verstappen also earns enough at Red Bull
And Anderson also sees “no reason” why Red Bull should suddenly crash completely. The 2024 season did not go as planned for the racing team with third place in the constructors’ championship. But in the Drivers’ World Championship, Verstappen still secured his fourth title in a row.
Anderson emphasizes: “They have a big team, a big budget, good people, everything you need to put together a good package. And it looks like they have at the end of the season [2024] learned a little how the car works.”
“You only learn from your mistakes, and they have been made,” said Anderson, who therefore does not expect Red Bull to fall so far behind in the coming years that a team change would really make sense for Verstappen.
In addition, Anderson also reminds: “He will be well paid where he is.” Verstappen could also earn a lot of money at Mercedes, “but he would have to have a completely different attitude with the Mercedes philosophy,” he believes.
“So I don’t know why he should change,” is his conclusion.