2025 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[WardenOfTheNorth]

Well, they could already sign. The contract would just be based on the exit clause and activate if pulled until a certain date. So this is possible to make an agreement before and would be wise for both sides. (see Piastri)

Piquet is the only one talking who is anywhere close. Everyone else is silent, also no commitments. I bet there is a contract in place with a strict NDA...

Depends on the contract. It is possible (and sounds like it here) that he is not allowed to negotiate/sign contracts with other teams while his contract is not "exit triggered". At least that is how I read it, they are all very eager to mention that no official yes has been made. This is the way in football, you can't negotiate with other teams (without approval of your team) until you are 6 months away from contract ending.

But this also doesn't mean they can't have an unofficial understanding. I think this is the situation right now, Toto and Max agreed on a deal in principle and we are seeing smoke from it. The moment Max is able to trigger his exit clause it will all quickly fall into place and most of these journalists will come out saying they knew the deal was in the works (which they probably do) but that they couldn't say anything official.

Really sounds like Piquet Jr. slipped and revealed that the deal is already on. Then backtracked to say "everyone knows they are talking".

I maintain my view that they agreed verbally on the move, but probably can't sign anything because Verstappen hasn't activated his exit clause yet.

Maybe or maybe his comments can be taken at face value.

I'm curious, you look like a Max fan. Are you just very against move to Mercedes or is there some other reason?

I'm far from a Max fan. I'm a Merc fan and a fan of both current drivers and, cards on the table, don't want Max in the team.

But I'm also a pragmatist and I simply cannot see Max signing what would have to be, a multi year deal without knowing what the pecking order is from 26 onwards.

Imagine Max signs for Merc, then it turns out that Aston are actually the team to beat. Meanwhile George has been signed by the green team and wins the WDC.

I'm fully prepared to be wrong, but I simply can't understand why Max would gamble at this stage. Nor can I understand why Toto would risk destabilising the team when he already has 2 drivers capable of taking titles if the car is good enough.

I find it easier to believe that Toto was telling the truth when he said that it was about understanding what the situation would be in the coming years, so that he can go into Russell's contract with suitable options built in.

[FittingMechanics]

I'm far from a Max fan. I'm a Merc fan and a fan of both current drivers and, cards on the table, don't want Max in the team.

But I'm also a pragmatist and I simply cannot see Max signing what would have to be, a multi year deal without knowing what the pecking order is from 26 onwards.

Imagine Max signs for Merc, then it turns out that Aston are actually the team to beat. Meanwhile George has been signed by the green team and wins the WDC.

I'm fully prepared to be wrong, but I simply can't understand why Max would gamble at this stage. Nor can I understand why Toto would risk destabilising the team when he already has 2 drivers capable of taking titles if the car is good enough.

I find it easier to believe that Toto was telling the truth when he said that it was about understanding what the situation would be in the coming years, so that he can go into Russell's contract with suitable options built in.

Max could have been been shown data on the engines. Including what power figures is Honda expecting, Mercedes and RBPT. If I was thinking about the switch (or about poaching Max) I would ask to be shown that data, or if I was trying to poach him and I knew our engine is going to be good, I'd show him the data.

If he sees that RBPT and Honda are down on power, is it that big of a gamble to make the switch? Max being so dominant in Red Bull against many drivers has to have people thinking what he could do in their car.

[BassVirolla]

I'm far from a Max fan. I'm a Merc fan and a fan of both current drivers and, cards on the table, don't want Max in the team.

But I'm also a pragmatist and I simply cannot see Max signing what would have to be, a multi year deal without knowing what the pecking order is from 26 onwards.

Imagine Max signs for Merc, then it turns out that Aston are actually the team to beat. Meanwhile George has been signed by the green team and wins the WDC.

I'm fully prepared to be wrong, but I simply can't understand why Max would gamble at this stage. Nor can I understand why Toto would risk destabilising the team when he already has 2 drivers capable of taking titles if the car is good enough.

I find it easier to believe that Toto was telling the truth when he said that it was about understanding what the situation would be in the coming years, so that he can go into Russell's contract with suitable options built in.

Max could have been been shown data on the engines. Including what power figures is Honda expecting, Mercedes and RBPT. If I was thinking about the switch (or about poaching Max) I would ask to be shown that data, or if I was trying to poach him and I knew our engine is going to be good, I'd show him the data.

If he sees that RBPT and Honda are down on power, is it that big of a gamble to make the switch? Max being so dominant in Red Bull against many drivers has to have people thinking what he could do in their car.

I can't see any engine manufacturer giving such critical data to anyone outside the aero design team, specially with a regs change. Not giving anyone a target can reward a big miss from some competitor, a la Ferrari 2014.

[Juzh]

Nor can I understand why Toto would risk destabilising the team when he already has 2 drivers capable of taking titles if the car is good enough.

Russell - yes
Kimi - he needs at least 3 years in f1 before he'll be anywhere close championship potential. As it stands apart from Canada and some good quali performances he's done nothing of note, and struggled with race pace a bit too often.

[dren]

Nor can I understand why Toto would risk destabilising the team when he already has 2 drivers capable of taking titles if the car is good enough.

Russell - yes
Kimi - he needs at least 3 years in f1 before he'll be anywhere close championship potential. As it stands apart from Canada and some good quali performances he's done nothing of note, and struggled with race pace a bit too often.

Yeah, he still needs some time. He hasn't shown that he is the next Max. I've been more impressed with Bearman and Bortoleto.

[kptaylor]

Think you meant to say Hadjar...

[Lasssept]

[Matt2725]

EvH pretty much confirming Max isn't going anywhere for 2026 at least.

Thing is, if the car is that good and the end result is George wins the title and Merc the WCC...then the case for bringing in Max is void. Russell is also going to want a guaranteed minimum of two years I would suggest.

Maybe Max ends up at Aston after all from 2027?

[Lasssept]

[Watto]

EvH pretty much confirming Max isn't going anywhere for 2026 at least.

Thing is, if the car is that good and the end result is George wins the title and Merc the WCC...then the case for bringing in Max is void. Russell is also going to want a guaranteed minimum of two years I would suggest.

Maybe Max ends up at Aston after all from 2027?

I don't think EvH has confirmed anything either way it was only a few days ago he said there had been no decision made on Max's future and a decision would be made in the coming races. I tend to think it's still very much up in the air. I think the latest is just more down the same angle.

[Matt2725]

EvH pretty much confirming Max isn't going anywhere for 2026 at least.

Thing is, if the car is that good and the end result is George wins the title and Merc the WCC...then the case for bringing in Max is void. Russell is also going to want a guaranteed minimum of two years I would suggest.

Maybe Max ends up at Aston after all from 2027?

I don't think EvH has confirmed anything either way it was only a few days ago he said there had been no decision made on Max's future and a decision would be made in the coming races. I tend to think it's still very much up in the air. I think the latest is just more down the same angle.

Ah ok, the world has told me everything EvH says is gospel and here's him putting into the sphere that Max may not in fact be going anywhere at least for next season. What happened to no smoke without fire? Or does that only apply when it fits a direction the group supports?

[zibby43]

EvH pretty much confirming Max isn't going anywhere for 2026 at least.

Thing is, if the car is that good and the end result is George wins the title and Merc the WCC...then the case for bringing in Max is void. Russell is also going to want a guaranteed minimum of two years I would suggest.

Maybe Max ends up at Aston after all from 2027?

I don't think EvH has confirmed anything either way it was only a few days ago he said there had been no decision made on Max's future and a decision would be made in the coming races. I tend to think it's still very much up in the air. I think the latest is just more down the same angle.

Ah ok, the world has told me everything EvH says is gospel and here's him putting into the sphere that Max may not in fact be going anywhere at least for next season. What happened to no smoke without fire? Or does that only apply when it fits a direction the group supports?

The notion that no decision has been made and he may not be going anywhere next year are essentially one and the same and there’s no confirmation that any decision has been made either way.

Think that was the poster’s point. The reporter in question hasn’t reported anything substantially different.

[basti313]

But I'm also a pragmatist and I simply cannot see Max signing what would have to be, a multi year deal without knowing what the pecking order is from 26 onwards.

What means multi year deal? Any deal would have an exit clause.

I'm fully prepared to be wrong, but I simply can't understand why Max would gamble at this stage.

Because he needs to get out of this Bull and has an exit clause now.
There is not much gamble. Mercedes is the only prime seat left. As you and others point out...if Merc has the magic car next year, they will not change. Now is the only chance to get into the "good" car. Even worse if it is Aston dominating, then Alonso will enjoy it or Stroll sen. will hire some F3 driver...

Nor can I understand why Toto would risk destabilising the team when he already has 2 drivers capable of taking titles if the car is good enough.

If he would believe in this, he would not talk to Ver at all. Especially since his friend Christian is gone. Two weeks ago I would have seen the argument "just to piss off Christian" as very valid. But now he only destabilizes Prince George.

Depends on the contract. .... This is the way in football, you can't negotiate with other teams (without approval of your team) until you are 6 months away from contract ending.

No. This is not possible in European contracts. FIFA has a special rule on this, which only affects FIFA legislation.

What happened to no smoke without fire?

We are enjoying the quiet before the storm.

Russell - yes
Kimi - he needs at least 3 years in f1 before he'll be anywhere close championship potential. As it stands apart from Canada and some good quali performances he's done nothing of note, and struggled with race pace a bit too often.

I would buy this if the gap would be bigger. There is no real reference for George. We see how Ham struggles in this generation of cars. Being decent against struggling Ham in 24...loosing in 23...now decent against a rookie. I just do not see where you can take it from that he is capable of making the difference when it is up for the WDC

[Watto]

EvH pretty much confirming Max isn't going anywhere for 2026 at least.

Thing is, if the car is that good and the end result is George wins the title and Merc the WCC...then the case for bringing in Max is void. Russell is also going to want a guaranteed minimum of two years I would suggest.

Maybe Max ends up at Aston after all from 2027?

I don't think EvH has confirmed anything either way it was only a few days ago he said there had been no decision made on Max's future and a decision would be made in the coming races. I tend to think it's still very much up in the air. I think the latest is just more down the same angle.

Ah ok, the world has told me everything EvH says is gospel and here's him putting into the sphere that Max may not in fact be going anywhere at least for next season. What happened to no smoke without fire? Or does that only apply when it fits a direction the group supports?

I think EvH had a very solid connection with the Verstappen's Jos has had some stories directly through him, I think Max did a sit down interview with him after a WDC,

My point was - as someone else mentioned - I think EvH has been very clear there hasn't been a decision made by the Max camp after the Horner sacking he said it had not changed anything to do with Max next year he would decide essentially before the summer break. No mention of a contract with RBR etc, equally he shot down the rumours that Max had signed with Mercedes.


I think anything is till up in the air in what Max does next year, could be at Mercedes, he could see out his contract with RBR, or could stay for 2026 and decide, would Mercedes offer him a contract if they had the best car and GR and KA performed that is probably very risky, maybe wait and see how AM do under Newey?



EvH just hasn't changed his tune on this really other than Max hasn't made a decisions on his future everything if open right now

[Big Tea]

Many are mentioning a multi-year deal for max as a reason he will not move. Is there any good reason for him to commit anywhere for long term?

For instance if he went to Merc, he has no guarantee the car will not be a dog even if the engine is the best, and if he has a 3 year deal he can not switch to (maybe) Aston, which if nothing else would mean the choice of anther year single deal and the ability to switch back to Merc if they sort it or maybe back to Red Bull should they have the best car at the time.

It may well be the better option long term not to be committed.