Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Ferrari has opened up a vacancy at Mercedes for the coming season. A majority of the drivers will be available for 2025. As a result, Toto Wolff will not rush into finalizing the driver to follow in the footsteps of the seven-time world champion. However, it seems that reigning world champion Max Verstappen was on the Silver Arrows’ list to potentially replace Hamilton.

Toto Wolff had previously hinted at acquiring Max Verstappen and how his relationship with the Dutchman needed to come ‘full circle’. Verstappen declared that he would stay in Red Bull at least till 2028. However, despite promising prospects, the Austrian revealed later why the Dutchman could still join Brackley next year.

Amidst these developments, former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve reckoned that Wolff’s only idea behind acquiring the Red Bull star was to annoy Milton Keynes. The reason for this was partly due to the fact that the 26-year-old had defeated Mercedes on multiple occasions.

I can’t imagine that Toto Wolff wants Max, the only way he could really consider the idea would be just for annoy Red Bull. I don’t see it at Mercedes because they lost the championship in favor of Red Bull and Max.

Jacques Villenueve said, as reported by OLBG.com.

 

Additionally, Villeneuve questioned the real intentions of Toto Wolff behind signing the three-time world champion. According to the 52-year-old, the main intention of the Austrian team principal was to cause problems and instability within Red Bull. Verstappen has been performing on his A-game and will potentially dominate the remainder of the hybrid era of Formula 1. Hence, the Dutchman’s role is crucial for the constructors’ success down the road.

It wouldn’t be certain why he really wants Max. It would have more to do with the intention of creating problems for Red Bull.

Jacques Villeneuve noted.

Multiple drivers have been talked about regarding joining Red Bull in the coming season. However, these talks would be nullified if Sergio Perez performs well and clinches his seat. Regardless, Carlos Sainz‘s current situation could see him join the constructor. Now, F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham has reckoned that teaming up with Verstappen means that a driver will always play second fiddle. Hence, one must remain ‘strategic’ in terms of their choices down the road.

I can see that you have to be strategic with this, if you are second to Max. That’s frankly what you will be, if you join the team and he is still there. You’ve got to be strategic in terms of your career. We’ve seen so many fall by the wayside who have partnered him.

Pinkham said, as reported by crash.net.

Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen, and Christian Horner (via IMAGO)

Pinkham asserted that Max Verstappen would definitely be in Milton Keynes for a couple of coming seasons. However, stranger things have had happened in the pinnacle of motorsport according to the 46-year-old. Hence, if the Dutchman is still in the team later, Red Bull would pair up a young and inexperienced driver alongside him.

I believe Max will be there. But stranger things have happened. And, if he is still there, I can see them putting in a young and inexperienced driver alongside them.

Natalie Pinkham stated.

There still hasn’t been a final call over Sergio Perez’s future at Milton Keynes. Red Bull would look into the driver options who can be paired with Max Verstappen for the coming years if the 34-year-old fails to perform well. As things stand, the Mexican driver could potentially score another contract extension if he clinches the runner-up spot in the drivers’ championship.