Formula 1 pundit Anthony Davidson has voiced his support for a Max Verstappen and Mercedes alliance, with a high-profile casualty should the move come off.
Speculation over Verstappen’s future has continued to grow in recent weeks, as an apparent disconnect between him and Red Bull rumbles on.
With the summer break only weeks away, Verstappen’s infamous contract escape clause, which allows him to leave if he is not in the top two in the championship, could be freely activated.
McLaren has emerged as the frontrunner to secure the four-time world champion’s signature, as secret talks came to light during the Austrian Grand Prix.
However, Davidson has shared his own theory that instead of McLaren, he could end up at arch rival Mercedes.
In this scenario, one driver of the existing lineup of Gperge Russell and Kimi Antonelli would need to leave, with Russell mooted by Davidson to make way for Verstappen.
“I think it could work, Kimi and Max, there’s a respect there, there’s a bit of a friendship there as well,” Davidson said on Sky Sports’ The F1 Show.
Friendships and “disharmony” for Max Verstappen
Explaining his rationale, Davidson believes existing friendships will play an important part in Verstappen’s final destination if he chooses to make the decision to leave Red Bull.
He also added his voice to the growing speculation of what he called “disharmony” between Red Bull and its star driver.
“I think Max probably sees a lot of himself in young Kimi when Max first arrived [in F1]. And, also, he’s pals with Lando Norris, who at Silverstone was pretty adamant that he’s still going to be there at McLaren and he would relish the chance of having Verstappen as a team-mate.
“For these guys who feel like they’re right at the top of their game – Lando Norris, world champion – ‘yeah, bring it on! Let’s see what the so-called best in the business is like alongside me!’
“You have to put yourself against the best. For these guys it’s a ‘bring it on’ moment.”
“I sense there’s upset there still in the team. Team Verstappen and Team Red Bull, there’s disharmony and I can’t work out why.”
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has shrugged off suggestions of a blockbuster switch.
“We don’t want to change things,” Wolff said Sky Sports F1 at the Austrian Grand Prix – the same weekend that Verstappen’s secret talks with McLaren came to light, shocking the F1 paddock.
“We’ve said that also to George, I think it’s a line-up that is good for us. I’m very happy with the two of them.”
Davidson’s suggestion is an intriguing one, but Mercedes is now on the back foot in securing Verstappen’s signature.
It is currently enjoying the dream scenario of having two drivers battling for a world championship and is unlikely to change what is, at present, a highly successful partnership.
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