Vowles can’t picture Mercedes making a move for Verstappen

Williams team principal James Vowles believes Mercedes is not the destination for Max Verstappen if he were to leave Red Bull at the end of this season.

Verstappen’s future has often been a topic of conversation, but this season has seen Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko repeatedly voicing concerns that performance clauses could be triggered that would allow the Dutchman to move elsewhere. While Aston Martin has been linked with a big-money move for Verstappen, Mercedes was also courting him last year and has yet to commit to either of its current drivers for 2026, but Vowles doesn’t see a pairing of the reigning world champion and George Russell making sense.

“I don’t think so,” said Vowles, who served as Mercedes motorsport strategy director before his move to Williams. “I think they’re two very different characters. I would also say I’m not Toto , but I think he’s got a really good driver line-up for the future, I think, with Kimi .

“Yes, I’m biased, because I worked with him for a long period of time, but Kimi, if you just look at the steps he’s making in qualifying, he’s making steps every single week, and he’s only driven effectively four grand prix races. He’s on a good pathway to be very, very competitive, so you keep investing in that.

“And George is delivering, I think. I mean, he’s been a bit quiet, but you can’t really fault anything he’s done this year.

“So can you add a tiny bit more performance? Yes, through Max. I think there is more performance to be added through Max. I don’t think anyone in the room would deny that he is extraordinary in what he can do. Japan was, for me, jaw-dropping. Well done to him. But he comes with a lot of downsides as well that you have to acknowledge.

“I think what Mercedes does have is a great culture with two drivers that are delivering near to the peak of the car, and with one that’s on the way up. So I personally don’t think that’s the place for him.”

Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen was filmed speaking to Alpine team principal Ollie Oakes earlier in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, while the driver himself dismissed speculation relating to his future on Thursday, stating that “a lot of people are talking about it, except me.”