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Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert says he ‘hears’ Max Verstappen going to Mercedes is “pretty close to a done deal” and adds “there is a very strong chance” that Adrian Newey will join him.
There has been a lot of speculation about Max Verstappen’s possible switch to Mercedes in the media recently, especially in light of Red Bull’s internal power struggles.
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert says he has heard the switch is very likely to happen.
“I hear it is pretty close to a done deal, brokered between Max and Mercedes,” he told BetIdeas.
“Is it a power play by the Verstappen team? Possibly. I don’t think it is the best scenario for Max. Mercedes have struggled for the last three years and still haven’t got a good car.
“The whole shenanigans are ripping Red Bull apart, as Jos Verstappen has said. It is ripping the team apart to the extent they might well lose their biggest asset.
“And that is not Christian Horner. That is Max Verstappen. He is the one who is binding everything together to allow the team to achieve what they have done over the past couple of years.”
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There have also been rumours that Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, could follow Max to Mercedes. Herbert believes this is very likely to happen.
“Adrian Newey will be very important. If the rumours are true, there is a chance that Adrian would go with him. I think there is a very strong chance of that happening.
“Going with Max to Mercedes for another challenge would be beneficial to F1 and very beneficial for the team. But they will need Adrian to be able to turn it around at Mercedes.
“Lewis has left because he doesn’t feel the team can provide him with a car to win his eighth world title. That makes sense.
“For Max to go there would not be a logical choice. If you really want to continue winning World Championships, then Max should stay at Red Bull. But for that to happen, harmony has to return.
“The crux will be whether Helmut Marko stays. If Helmut leaves then Max will too,” the Briton concluded.
