(Motorsport-Total.com) – It is still unclear whether Max Verstappen will continue to drive for Red Bull in the 2027 season or possibly switch to the competition next year. However, former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer warns against placing the Dutchman in the cockpit at Mercedes as a teammate to Kimi Antonelli.
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“That sounds like a recipe for disaster,” says the Brit in the podcast F1 Nation and points to the strong season start of the 19-year-old Italian, who with five wins in the first nine races has long established himself as the team leader of the Silver Arrows according to Palmer, making teammate George Russell the number 2 driver.
“In my opinion, Kimi has proven that he is a number 1 driver. He will not come to play second fiddle,” says Palmer. “Kimi has raised his level almost to the point that Max, should George leave, would no longer be the ideal replacement.”
Antonelli/Verstappen would be an “absolute blockbuster”
For Formula 1 fans, such a constellation with plenty of potential for conflict would be a feast. “You talk about a recipe for disaster, but for us that would be an absolute blockbuster,” adds host Tom Clarkson jokingly. Conflicts between teammates are not uncommon in the top class.
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At least according to the current situation, a driver change at Mercedes seems rather unlikely. “We don’t want any change,” said team boss Toto Wolff already at the race in Austria to Sky UK. “I am happy with our two drivers. This driver pairing is good for us.”
Since then, Verstappen has mainly been linked with a move to McLaren, possibly as a replacement for Oscar Piastri. However, the Dutchman did not want to comment on this on Thursday before the Belgian Grand Prix. In the end, everything could remain as it was last year. Even then, there were speculations about the future of the four-time world champion.