Villeneuve and Jordan Predict Verstappen's Red Bull Exit

Villeneuve: No Current Team Fits Verstappen’s Bill

15/08/2024

Villeneuve and Jordan foresee Verstappen parting ways with Red Bull as suitable options emerge.

Jacques Villeneuve believes Max Verstappen might be tempted to leave Red Bull as the Milton Keynes-based team appears to be nearing the end of its dominant cycle. However, the 1997 World Champion acknowledges that this will depend on the options available to the Dutch driver.

“It depends on what becomes available for Max Verstappen,” Villeneuve stated. “There’s no space at McLaren. Would he be better treated at Mercedes? And would he replace George Russell or Kimi Antonelli?”

“Russell and Antonelli are both Mercedes products and have been subject to significant investment. But Mercedes would likely want to sign Verstappen just to deprive their major rival Red Bull of their star driver.”

“There’s currently no right team for Verstappen, but in the long term, we will have to see. He has been in the Red Bull bubble his entire career, and it will not be easy to recreate that comfortable atmosphere in another team.”

Villeneuve does not believe that Max Verstappen can base his decision solely on the tensions between his clan and the Red Bull management: “The relationship between Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner is not good. But, we know how Max Verstappen thinks, he wants a car that wins.”

“It seems he has moved on from the early season story, and I think Max and the Red Bull team know they need each other to succeed; they will probably be ready to put aside all recent difficulties.”

Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan expects to see Verstappen leave Red Bull: “The unrest at Red Bull, with the departures of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, cannot be pleasing to Max and his father. Plus, Mercedes has turned the corner and is becoming increasingly strong. So, I would not be surprised at all if Max joins Mercedes in 2026.”

Villeneuve and Jordan Predict Verstappen's Red Bull Exit

Villeneuve, Jordan Predict Verstappen’s Red Bull Exit Villeneuve, Jordan Predict Verstappen’s Red Bull Exit

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