Last Updated on March 12 2024, 9:27 pm
No Formula One driver understands how the 20,000 or so parts of a car are designed and engineered by a team of 100’s of technical wizards. Yet their feedback on how the car feels when on track is vital to the technical team for their ongoing development of the platform from the fundamental design.
During this information sharing, certain drivers do grasp how parts of the the physical structure are creating problems they encounter and as Lewis Hamilton has demonstrated are able to discuss this when doing media interviews.
F1 teams contingency plans when a driver is leaving
Following Hamilton’s announcement he is leaving for Ferrari, the immediate problem for Toto Wolff was how to manage his driver pairing for the coming season and how the team would deal with the exit process.
“When he told me first my next thought was pragmatic,” said Wolff after receiving the shock news. “What does it mean? When are we communicating this? What are the pressure points? How are we managing the season going forward and what is it we are going to do in terms of driver line up? So the team’s mind kicked in.”
Of course this season when 50/50 decisions must be made which favours one driver over the other but has little impact on the final result for the team, it will be George Russell who gets the favoured pit stop strategy and probably Lewis who runs more experimental setups early in the practice sessions.
When asked how difficult it would be for the team to deal with such a situation, Max Verstappen gave his thoughts on the matter to the assembled media in Bahrain.
Mercedes brain drain continues
Russell now Mercedes F1 future
“I mean for sure he has a great relationship with everyone and especially also with Toto [Wolff],” said Max. “But he also knows at one point, and Toto for sure will tell him ‘I’m really sorry, we’ve had all this success, but you can’t be a part of certain meetings any more.’ And it’s normal in F1 and it’s probably a bit weird, but you’re professional enough to deal with that.”
Of course Mercedes are in a fight with McLaren and Ferrari to be the best of the rest this year behind Red Bull Racing and as Mercedes begin to move from developing the W15 to creating next seasons car there will be secrets they wish to keep to themselves about their future car design.
As the dust settled on the F1 shattering news that Hamilton was leaving for Italy next year, Toto Wolff was minded to reveal that George Russell was now the future of Mercedes team.
“With all the Lewis discussion, something that has not been talked about enough is George,” Wolff told Sky Sports. “George has the potential to be the next lead driver in the team. He is of the generation of Lando [Norris] and [Charles] Leclerc and some of the others. I couldn’t wish for a [better] new team leader when Lewis leaves, no doubt about that.”
Austrian GP faces cancellation and FIA respond
Marko suspension problematic
And of course that switch from Hamilton being the senior driver is no binary moment but a process which has even already begun.
Max Verstappen dropped a bombshell of his own telling the media in Jeddah he would leave Red Bull Racing if his mentor Dr. Helmut Marko was forced out of the company. Marko is employed by Red Bull’s Austrian parent company but has been ever present in the Red Bull trackside facilities.
The 81 year old Austrian suggested to ORF that he may be suspended this week, which cause Max to respond threatening he too could then be decide to go.
Christian Horner quickly made a defiant statement making it clear to Max he would not be held to ransom.
Marko suspected of leaks by Red Bull
Horner toughs it out without Verstappen backing
“If somebody didn’t want to be at this team, then you know, we’re not going to force somebody against their will to be here,” Horner responded.
“That applies whether it’s a machine operator or a designer or somebody in one of the support functions, that runs through the business,”
But you know, that’s pretty much the way it is. No individual is bigger than the team.”
F1-insider who are known to be close to Marko then revealed they had reports that Christian Horner was already lining up replacements for Verstappen and possibly Sergio Perez. One being Alex Albon who shares Thai heritage with Red Bull’s majority shareholder, Chaleo Yoovidhya, who has backed his team principal since the allegations were first made.
Horner gives Max a stark ultimatum
Max left out of crucial RB meetings
Now TJ13 has learned from sources close to Red Bull that until Max Verstappen gives his while hearted support to there Red Bull F1 project going forward he may be excluded like Hamilton from sensitive team meetings where the magic behind the RB20 and its eventual successor is being discussed.
Should Max fulfil his threat the likely destination for him would be Mercedes and Toto Wolff has already stated publicly that he would welcome both Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen into the Brackley F outfit.
When asked following Saturday’s race in Jeddah if it would be good for Formula One for Verstappen to switch teams, Wolff replied: “I would love to have him.
“But first we need to sort out our car. We owe it to our current drivers to improve the car and give them equipment that is good before dreaming about the future next year.”
Wolff fuels Max to Mercedes rumours
Jos Verstappen issue not resolved
Its unlikely that Mercedes will have a competitive car for the 2025 season given the 1 second a lap gap to Red Bull Lewis Hamilton suffered over 50 laps of the race in Abu Dhabi. Yet with the new power units planned for 2026, Mercedes could once again trump the new FIA engine specifications and produce a package much quicker than the rest of the field.
Helmut Marko met with Oliver Mintzlaff who is responsible for sporting matters on the board of the Austrian parent company and suggested the hint of him being suspended had passed, which would resole one of Max issues.
Yet the thorny problem of Verstappen’s father remains who has made savage claims against Horner following his acquittal of wrongdoing with a female employee.
“I sympathise with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens,” said Jos from a distance while competing in a Belgian rally event last weekend.
Hamilton knew W15 was poor before deciding on Ferrari
Verstappen must now choose
And when questioned whether Horner’s claims that a line had now been drawn under the matter Jos cast doubt on the probability of a harmonious future stating:
”I think it’s a bit too late for that now. If that’s what he wants, fine, but I don’t think it will be possible. I don’t want to talk too much more as it will create problems.”
Meanwhile Verstappen must decide whether a future without his father in the Red Bull camp is palatable or whether its time for him to show his talents in a car inferior to the RB20.
READ MORE: Marko reveals Horner secretly lined up Verstappen replacement
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
What else could CH do? His priority is the company
First ban Jos from the garage then see if max will go to Mercedes looking forward to 2025 as this year looks like it’s going to be a boring season
Get rid of Jos very arrogant person is making Max similar
I find it extremely hard to believe that Red Bull signed a contract with Max through 2028 that requires Marlo to be with the team or he can walk….
The guy is 81 and will be 85 in 2028,
Let Max and Jos go to Merc. Their toxicity is not needed at RB. And seriously you telling me that Marko will never retire….so if he retire Max will stop racing, yeah right. Seriously the Vestappen family should stop thinking they own RB. They don’t, so move along and let’s see how you get along with Toto. Oh this will be fun to watch. Jos and Toto’s egos clashing at every race. Now that would be entertaining. There are multiple drivers that can take Max’s seat at RB as well. Take Sainz and throw out the whole Vestappen family. You will still win the WC and the CC without Max. It’s the car not the driver. Lewis imploded without a great car and so will Max. That is the reality of it unfortunately.
100% your assessment is on the money.in all the points layed out In your comments.
Max is better suited to Nascar, he certainly lacks class
The headline is just complete Bullsh*t. Pure speculation. But thanks anyway. Now I can Google to block articles from this website
Please proof read your stories, prior to putting them on the internet. There are too many mistakes to ignore. Thanks
I am a strong supporter of Max and RB and in particular, Max is from my home city, I like his driving style, his approach, and his meticulous handling of the car. However, it takes two to tango both diver and car, you can see that with Lewis who surely has not forgotten to drive but the car is just not up to the mark to repeat their successes. I also certainly agree with Horner to let Max go loyalty is a good thing but not to the point where the company is held at ransom. Some young drivers may not be equal to Max but certain drivers are as good as Max.