The departure of Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes to Ferrari and the internal war at Red Bull, which began when the “Horner case” became public, left a very peculiar situation in the world of racing. Formula 1. In recent months everything turned around and it is now the silver arrows team that is pushing harder than ever to sign Max Verstappen.
The rumors of a possible departure for Verstappen in 2024 are increasing and although the three-time champion He has a contract with Red Bull until 2028there could be a clause in his contract that would release him and give him the opportunity to drive for another team.
The objective of Toto Wolff is to fill the vacancy left by Lewis Hamilton and the Dutchman is his first option. As reported by “F1 Insiderr”, Toto Wolff would have intensified conversations with Max.
So much so, that those from Brackley could go for Pierre Wachéa Red Bull engineer who He maintains a close relationship with Adrian Newey and whose relevance in the team is essential for Verstappen.
Mercedes is trying to rely on the services of Wachéwho holds the position of Red Bull chief engineerwhose knowledge has resulted in a Verstappen’s blind trust in him.
The truth is that although Verstappen has on occasion denied his departure from the Austrian team, Instability within Red Bull has increased the chances that the Dutch driver can leave his current team. Mercedes wants to take advantage of this and getting Pierre Waché to join her team could be decisive.
Verstappen’s future so far will continue at Red Bull. If the conflict within the team continues to remain active, who knows if the Dutchman will continue or if, on the contrary, He will head to Mercedes.
Without a doubt, this situation put the remaining teams in the highest category of motorsports on alert.
Everyone alert
Aston Martin also seems to be keeping an eye on the triple world champion and, according to the Italian edition of Motorsport.coman offer to Red Bull’s star designer, Adrian Neweycombined with official Honda engines for 2026 could be seen as an attempt to recreate the right environment to attract it.
Since the announcement of Hamilton’s departure, numerous drivers and their managers have launched their candidacies and have contacted Wolff to discuss his vacant seat, but until Verstappen confirms he remains at Red Bull or announces his early departure, Mercedes will not. You will be in a hurry to decide.
Drivers from the hierarchy of Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon were sounded as possible replacements for Hamilton.
Sainz’s case is the most pressing, since, unlike his aforementioned colleagues, he does not have the option of staying where he is. Sainz was collateral damage in Ferrari’s bold decision to go for Hamilton and is now looking for a seat.
Verstappen seems to be the judge of which top seat is free for Sainz. If Verstappen stays where he is and Mercedes opts for a different option, Sainz will find himself in a difficult position. Sauber’s interest, which will become Audi in two years, would then be his best option, although it would inevitably pose a short-term risk. But now Sainz also appears as an option for the second seat at Red Bull that Sergio Pérez has, since the team boss, Christian Horner mentioned his name in Melbourne.
Alonso also seems affected by Verstappen’s fate, with options ranging from staying with Aston Martin, targeting Mercedes or Red Bull, or retiring from Formula 1. But that is not how the 42-year-old driver sees it, as he does not I will let others dictate my destiny.
“I’ve always been like that. Sometimes it helped me, sometimes it hurt me to be the master of my destiny. I chose when to leave a team, when to join a team, I chose when to leave Formula 1 and I chose when to come back. And now I will choose what what I will do next year. I will not follow what others do and dictate my destiny. I will do it for myself. For better or worse, that’s who I am,” Alonso said.
The signings of Verstappen, Sainz and Alonso are just the first in a long list, since behind them other drivers and teams are contemplating their next steps, from veterans like Vañtteri Bottas to the Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly and promises like Liam Lawson and Oliver Bearman.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
