Max's new team?
Discussion
I had also thought about Max having a year doing something else, watching who has the best package and frantically working behind the scenes to secure the seat.
He will then have no duff year - a second if 2025 does not go well - and come back to a prime seat from which to continue his (sometimes flawed) ascendency. Win. Win.
Max indifferent to beating Lewis' title count? Do me a favour... He can't even concede a corner on a video game ffs!!
He will then have no duff year - a second if 2025 does not go well - and come back to a prime seat from which to continue his (sometimes flawed) ascendency. Win. Win.
Max indifferent to beating Lewis' title count? Do me a favour... He can't even concede a corner on a video game ffs!!
PhilAsia said:
I had also thought about Max having a year doing something else, watching who has the best package and frantically working behind the scenes to secure the seat.
He will then have no duff year - a second if 2025 does not go well - and come back to a prime seat from which to continue his (sometimes flawed) ascendency. Win. Win.
Max indifferent to beating Lewis' title count? Do me a favour... He can't even concede a corner on a video game ffs!!
It's an interesting point, that Max could opt to take a year or two out - gives him time to observe who has the best new regs package and he'll know he can very likely return and get a seat at that team.He will then have no duff year - a second if 2025 does not go well - and come back to a prime seat from which to continue his (sometimes flawed) ascendency. Win. Win.
Max indifferent to beating Lewis' title count? Do me a favour... He can't even concede a corner on a video game ffs!!
That's as logical as anything else he might do, other than stay at RBR which I think is the least logical/likely.
He’s a little stuck between a rock and a hard place, having his Red Bull contract expire at the same time as a new formula comes in for both chassis and PU.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take a sabbatical from F1, perhaps do sportscars and e-racing for a year and see the lie of the land, rather than see himself locked into a contract with a team not challenging for the championships.
The exception might be if Adrian Newey can persuade him in the same way that Niki Lauda persuaded Lewis all those years ago, that Aston Martin will do whatever it takes to get the trophies at the end of a season - a task that’s much more difficult than it ever was before, in an era of tight resource management regulations. I do wonder if they’ll give up completely on even trying to score points for the first half of this season, to maximise the wind tunnel time allowable for aero development on the new ‘26 car?
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take a sabbatical from F1, perhaps do sportscars and e-racing for a year and see the lie of the land, rather than see himself locked into a contract with a team not challenging for the championships.
The exception might be if Adrian Newey can persuade him in the same way that Niki Lauda persuaded Lewis all those years ago, that Aston Martin will do whatever it takes to get the trophies at the end of a season - a task that’s much more difficult than it ever was before, in an era of tight resource management regulations. I do wonder if they’ll give up completely on even trying to score points for the first half of this season, to maximise the wind tunnel time allowable for aero development on the new ‘26 car?
Sandpit Steve said:
He’s a little stuck between a rock and a hard place, having his Red Bull contract expire at the same time as a new formula comes in for both chassis and PU.
His Red Bull contract doesn't expire until 2028.There seems to be a lot of speculation that he'll leave RBR at the end of this season. I don't see anything concrete - theoretical or otherwise - backing that up.
Muzzer79 said:
Sandpit Steve said:
He’s a little stuck between a rock and a hard place, having his Red Bull contract expire at the same time as a new formula comes in for both chassis and PU.
His Red Bull contract doesn't expire until 2028.There seems to be a lot of speculation that he'll leave RBR at the end of this season. I don't see anything concrete - theoretical or otherwise - backing that up.
But there are realistic concerns over how well placed RBR are to make good of the regs era, so a move from RBR is more likely now than at any other point during his time there.
The challenges the team face are not theory, they're real. They do have put out their first ever in house PU Vs far more experienced manufacturers and they have lost their lead designer. They might ace both tasks regardless, but historically neither factor is a positive in terms of what is likely.
TheDeuce said:
Muzzer79 said:
Sandpit Steve said:
He’s a little stuck between a rock and a hard place, having his Red Bull contract expire at the same time as a new formula comes in for both chassis and PU.
His Red Bull contract doesn't expire until 2028.There seems to be a lot of speculation that he'll leave RBR at the end of this season. I don't see anything concrete - theoretical or otherwise - backing that up.
But there are realistic concerns over how well placed RBR are to make good of the regs era, so a move from RBR is more likely now than at any other point during his time there.
The challenges the team face are not theory, they're real. They do have put out their first ever in house PU Vs far more experienced manufacturers and they have lost their lead designer. They might ace both tasks regardless, but historically neither factor is a positive in terms of what is likely.
You said in an earlier post that Max staying at RBR was the "least logical/likely"
On what basis?
They've lost Newey, which isn't ideal. They are indeed manufacturing their own PU (which is a project some 5 years in the making)
But the remaining core of the team remains. Verstappen's head might be turned by the investment at Aston Martin or a chequebook from Mercedes/Ferrari but I think it would be a case of other teams needing to sell a journey to him, rather than him actively looking to leave Red Bull at this moment in time.
But, as always, those actually in the paddock know more than us so it's all guesswork
Personally, I'd like to see him challenge himself somewhere else. All the great champions have won titles with multiple teams.
jimmsy said:
Byker28i said:
the year after he was gifted his first...
I mean at this point I think you need to just get over it...Lewis has, and I think the impact was higher on him than you...Max will go to wherever he thinks will offer him the best car, and who will offer him the unwavering support that Horner does currently
Edited by Byker28i on Tuesday 11th March 11:28
Muzzer79 said:
TheDeuce said:
Muzzer79 said:
Sandpit Steve said:
He’s a little stuck between a rock and a hard place, having his Red Bull contract expire at the same time as a new formula comes in for both chassis and PU.
His Red Bull contract doesn't expire until 2028.There seems to be a lot of speculation that he'll leave RBR at the end of this season. I don't see anything concrete - theoretical or otherwise - backing that up.
But there are realistic concerns over how well placed RBR are to make good of the regs era, so a move from RBR is more likely now than at any other point during his time there.
The challenges the team face are not theory, they're real. They do have put out their first ever in house PU Vs far more experienced manufacturers and they have lost their lead designer. They might ace both tasks regardless, but historically neither factor is a positive in terms of what is likely.
[b]You said in an earlier post that Max staying at RBR was the "least logical/likely"
On what basis? [/b]
They've lost Newey, which isn't ideal. They are indeed manufacturing their own PU (which is a project some 5 years in the making)
But the remaining core of the team remains. Verstappen's head might be turned by the investment at Aston Martin or a chequebook from Mercedes/Ferrari but I think it would be a case of other teams needing to sell a journey to him, rather than him actively looking to leave Red Bull at this moment in time.
But, as always, those actually in the paddock know more than us so it's all guesswork
Personally, I'd like to see him challenge himself somewhere else. All the great champions have won titles with multiple teams.
Because of other peoples good contributions to this thread, I'm increasingly thinking that the most likely and logical thing would actually be a year out, to see who makes the best fist of it - he doesn't actually need to take a gamble does he? If AMR (as an example) turn out to be unbeatable in 2026, Max would have no problem at all getting a seat there for 2027.
I'm also thinking the whole situation at RBR with his Dad and Horny not seeing eye to eye and the general ick factor of everyone knowing what his boss got up to can't be the nicest of environments - I'm sure he's tough enough to deal with it but that doesn't mean it's not a distraction. Obviously it's not a deal breaker so long as they can deliver a championship winning car, but if he doubts they can continue to do that then it's probably a situation he'd be happy to get away from.
Years ago the great drivers did more than win in F1 ,the challenge was also the greatest race Le Mans , maybe Indianapolis . This was the mark of a true driver not just winning in the best F1 car , so better than your team mate stuff . Kudos for Alonso for realising this an trying . Max possibly has that mentality
He does seem the type to prefer to take a year or two out than sit in a under performing car. I could easily see him sitting out a year (While SIM racing or LeMans etc..)
I also agree with a poster above that he doesn't seem the type to want to be part of a multi-year build / project to bring a team to success. He wants the best car on the grid or nothing.
I also agree with a poster above that he doesn't seem the type to want to be part of a multi-year build / project to bring a team to success. He wants the best car on the grid or nothing.
I think the reason for that is that he simply wants to cash in now as quickly as he can and not have to wait in a naff team, he wants out,m for all sorts of reasons, but he cannot do that while he is the top dog and can therefore call the shots wages wise.
Every team will want him, but does he want to sign a 3 or 5 years deal? It depends on his desire to do other things, his desire to get out of F1 (much like Kimi or Clark he loves the driving and the team stuff but everything else is meh to him) and and clearly the money he could command and what might be danged.
That may change this year if he has a bad year and say Norris or Piastri win an easy title, his command will wane.
Every team will want him, but does he want to sign a 3 or 5 years deal? It depends on his desire to do other things, his desire to get out of F1 (much like Kimi or Clark he loves the driving and the team stuff but everything else is meh to him) and and clearly the money he could command and what might be danged.
That may change this year if he has a bad year and say Norris or Piastri win an easy title, his command will wane.
bergclimber34 said:
I think the reason for that is that he simply wants to cash in now as quickly as he can and not have to wait in a naff team, he wants out,m for all sorts of reasons, but he cannot do that while he is the top dog and can therefore call the shots wages wise.
Every team will want him, but does he want to sign a 3 or 5 years deal? It depends on his desire to do other things, his desire to get out of F1 (much like Kimi or Clark he loves the driving and the team stuff but everything else is meh to him) and and clearly the money he could command and what might be danged.
That may change this year if he has a bad year and say Norris or Piastri win an easy title, his command will wane.
This is the second time you've suggested a top driver's motivation is money. It suggests a complete lack of understanding of what motivates a professional sports person at the absolute peak of their game. Even more so when, in a sport like F1, you are so reliant on the team around you to give you personal success.Every team will want him, but does he want to sign a 3 or 5 years deal? It depends on his desire to do other things, his desire to get out of F1 (much like Kimi or Clark he loves the driving and the team stuff but everything else is meh to him) and and clearly the money he could command and what might be danged.
That may change this year if he has a bad year and say Norris or Piastri win an easy title, his command will wane.
Neither Lewis or Max is going to do something for the money; it will be far behind other considerations. The opportunity of a better car? Yep. The chance to build a team around them (on the basis the team has at least a hint of potential)? Yep. The chance to go to the most famous team in history and write yourself into legend? Yep.
Not all of those apply to both drivers of course, but money will be far behind those things in importance.
Both are already rich beyond your wildest dreams and neither has done anything, at any point, to suggest they're going to be swayed by someone offering them an extra $5 million a year.
This is based on listening to a few top drivers over the years, money is a factor whether you like it or not, not just in racing in all sports, you want to be rewarded for your talent as much as possible.
It is not the ONLY reason for a driver to make moves but it is a factor and if you beliebe it plays no part in it you are wrong.
I personally dont think it is a factor for Max until other things are in place, he has never really been in a rubbish car and has always been able to at least challenge for podiums or wins, even in the fag end of the Merc era.
But as I say I think other factors are at play, largely a tiredness of f1 and the circus, the media and a desire top do more stuff sim wise.
It is not the ONLY reason for a driver to make moves but it is a factor and if you beliebe it plays no part in it you are wrong.
I personally dont think it is a factor for Max until other things are in place, he has never really been in a rubbish car and has always been able to at least challenge for podiums or wins, even in the fag end of the Merc era.
But as I say I think other factors are at play, largely a tiredness of f1 and the circus, the media and a desire top do more stuff sim wise.
bergclimber34 said:
This is based on listening to a few top drivers over the years, money is a factor whether you like it or not, not just in racing in all sports, you want to be rewarded for your talent as much as possible.
It is not the ONLY reason for a driver to make moves but it is a factor and if you beliebe it plays no part in it you are wrong.
I personally dont think it is a factor for Max until other things are in place, he has never really been in a rubbish car and has always been able to at least challenge for podiums or wins, even in the fag end of the Merc era.
But as I say I think other factors are at play, largely a tiredness of f1 and the circus, the media and a desire top do more stuff sim wise.
Agree, money is always a factor. It's in their competitive nature to get the best deal possible or be the highest paid in a team or even the whole grid. It is not the ONLY reason for a driver to make moves but it is a factor and if you beliebe it plays no part in it you are wrong.
I personally dont think it is a factor for Max until other things are in place, he has never really been in a rubbish car and has always been able to at least challenge for podiums or wins, even in the fag end of the Merc era.
But as I say I think other factors are at play, largely a tiredness of f1 and the circus, the media and a desire top do more stuff sim wise.
They all want to be number 1.. even in the salary rankings.
"Oh don't worry about paying me more than the other guys, I like to build things and be on the project" etc...
InformationSuperHighway said:
bergclimber34 said:
This is based on listening to a few top drivers over the years, money is a factor whether you like it or not, not just in racing in all sports, you want to be rewarded for your talent as much as possible.
It is not the ONLY reason for a driver to make moves but it is a factor and if you beliebe it plays no part in it you are wrong.
I personally dont think it is a factor for Max until other things are in place, he has never really been in a rubbish car and has always been able to at least challenge for podiums or wins, even in the fag end of the Merc era.
But as I say I think other factors are at play, largely a tiredness of f1 and the circus, the media and a desire top do more stuff sim wise.
Agree, money is always a factor. It's in their competitive nature to get the best deal possible or be the highest paid in a team or even the whole grid. It is not the ONLY reason for a driver to make moves but it is a factor and if you beliebe it plays no part in it you are wrong.
I personally dont think it is a factor for Max until other things are in place, he has never really been in a rubbish car and has always been able to at least challenge for podiums or wins, even in the fag end of the Merc era.
But as I say I think other factors are at play, largely a tiredness of f1 and the circus, the media and a desire top do more stuff sim wise.
They all want to be number 1.. even in the salary rankings.
"Oh don't worry about paying me more than the other guys, I like to build things and be on the project" etc...
If F1 salaries were capped at £5m Lewis and Max would still drive. Obviously they don't want a lower salary, but both are set for life already and either they wish to drive an F1 car or they don't.
Salaries are a factor for lesser celebrated drivers looking to make bank (Ricciardo...) but at the higher level salaries are only a factor in terms of teams outbidding one another, along with whatever else they can offer to tempt their chosen driver. If you could convince Lewis that Williams could gift him his 8th WDC in 2026 but could only afford to pay him 32p for the year, he'd break his Ferrari contract and go to Williams. He doesn't need more money than 'enough', but he does have a life's work to complete. The only reason he would never get such a daft salary offer is because any team that wants a top driver knows full well they have to start by at least offering the same as any other team that wants the same driver. The drivers concerned will be very happy with that situation, but it's not what motivates them to continue.
TheDeuce said:
The money is a given for the top drivers, the teams are paying way over the odds to have those drivers, not because the drivers demand it but because they're effectively bidding against the other teams.
If F1 salaries were capped at £5m Lewis and Max would still drive. Obviously they don't want a lower salary, but both are set for life already and either they wish to drive an F1 car or they don't.
Salaries are a factor for lesser celebrated drivers looking to make bank (Ricciardo...) but at the higher level salaries are only a factor in terms of teams outbidding one another, along with whatever else they can offer to tempt their chosen driver. If you could convince Lewis that Williams could gift him his 8th WDC in 2026 but could only afford to pay him 32p for the year, he'd break his Ferrari contract and go to Williams. He doesn't need more money than 'enough', but he does have a life's work to complete. The only reason he would never get such a daft salary offer is because any team that wants a top driver knows full well they have to start by at least offering the same as any other team that wants the same driver. The drivers concerned will be very happy with that situation, but it's not what motivates them to continue.
Indeed so. If F1 salaries were capped at £5m Lewis and Max would still drive. Obviously they don't want a lower salary, but both are set for life already and either they wish to drive an F1 car or they don't.
Salaries are a factor for lesser celebrated drivers looking to make bank (Ricciardo...) but at the higher level salaries are only a factor in terms of teams outbidding one another, along with whatever else they can offer to tempt their chosen driver. If you could convince Lewis that Williams could gift him his 8th WDC in 2026 but could only afford to pay him 32p for the year, he'd break his Ferrari contract and go to Williams. He doesn't need more money than 'enough', but he does have a life's work to complete. The only reason he would never get such a daft salary offer is because any team that wants a top driver knows full well they have to start by at least offering the same as any other team that wants the same driver. The drivers concerned will be very happy with that situation, but it's not what motivates them to continue.
It’s a competitive world, and driver salaries being specifically excluded from the cost cap means that the drivers are now all there entirely on merit, except for Stroll who’s now probably experienced enough to be of journeyman standard. Yes there are often sponsorship connections, but even the lower-ranked teams now have to pay their drivers a salary, many of whom have got themselves in serious debt chasing the F1 dream in the first place.
As has been discussed on other threads they would all happily drive a competitive car for free, what they actually get paid for is everything else, all that shaking hands with team sponsors and having to deal with endless stupid questions from the idiotic press pack without swearing at them!
I simply re-iterate after listening to a lot of drivers on pods not necessarily from F1, that salary is a far more important aspect than people think, you seem to think they would drive for free, I dont believe that for one second. Maybe the elite few, but they have earned stack anyway so it is a different meaning to them.
Any sport is the same
Any sport is the same
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