Alex Albon warns Max Verstappen that one thing wouldn’t be ‘the same’ if he left Red Bull for Mercedes

Toto Wolff and George Russell have both indicated that Mercedes are holding talks with Verstappen. And the reigning world champion has repeatedly refused to state outright that he’ll be racing for Red Bull next year.

A move remains unlikely, but it is possible. There’s also a chance that Verstappen is negotiating with Mercedes for 2027, giving them the chance to display their speed under the new regulations.

Verstappen has scored more podiums for Red Bull than Michael Schumacher did for Ferrari (117 vs 116). Emotionally, it would be difficult to leave the team, even if they haven’t consistently furnished him with a contending car for the past year or so.

Max Verstappen told he wouldn’t be as dominant against his teammates at Mercedes

Speaking on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Verstappen’s former teammate Alex Albon predicted how he would fare if he changed teams. Albon spent 18 months alongside the Dutchman from the midpoint of 2019 to the end of 2020.

While he’d naturally be ‘very quick’ everywhere, Albon doesn’t think he’d dominate his teammates as much as he has at Red Bull. Since Daniel Ricciardo left at the end of 2018, Verstappen has outscored the sister car by over 1,300 points.

Verstappen would likely partner Kimi Antonelli, one of the youngest F1 drivers ever, if he joined Mercedes. But Red Bull have built their car around his preferences for years, and the unfamiliarity of the Silver Arrow could be an equalising factor.

Albon said: “In F1, it is easy for everyone to fall into the trap of: ‘All the drivers are at the same level all the time, and there is no such thing as suiting a car or not suiting a car.’

“And I think that for the same reason why you’re seeing so many drivers struggle up against Max, just flip the script and put Max in a different car, I think he’d still be very quick, don’t get me wrong about that. But I don’t think you’re going to see the same gaps that you see that he’s putting on his teammates now.

“And for the same reason, some drivers it clicks, some drivers it doesn’t. I remember my first lap in a Williams, despite being down on downforce considerably to what I was used to, it still clicks.

“And don’t forget that my six-month stint in Toro Rosso at the time was strong as well. And it just swings.”

Alex Albon baffled by talk that George Russell could lose Mercedes seat

Albon also mounted a passionate defence of Russell, who faces a small risk of losing his seat. He’s stunned that there’s even a question over his future given that he beat Lewis Hamilton in 2024 and is ‘pretty convincingly’ ahead of Antonelli.

If anything, Albon says his former F2 rival deserves a pay rise in recognition of his status as one of ‘the top three drivers on the grid’. Russell’s recent win in Canada was the fourth of his F1 career.

“George is somehow underrated,” said Albon. “I don’t know a driver who can beat a seven-time world champion and still be not sure of a seat. He’s having a fantastic year this year as well.

“As much as Kimi’s getting praise, George is still beating him pretty convincingly. Even if he wasn’t my friend, I’d still be saying the same words.

“I hope the delay’s coming from him asking for the money. If he is, he deserves it! I think George is one of the most adaptable drivers on the grid, and wherever he ends up being, he should be considered at least one of the top three drivers on the grid.”

Related Posts

George Russell sҺares wҺy Max Verstappen made Һim ‘nervous’ after brilliant Singapore Grand Prix win

Russell set a record-breaƙing pole lap to beat Verstappen to tҺe front of tҺe grid in qualifying. Mercedes looƙed to Һave tҺe pace to contend at tҺe…

Max Verstappen reveals Red Bull decision cost Һim cҺance to win 2025 Singapore GP

Max Verstappen reveals tҺe decision to start tҺe 2025 Singapore GP on tҺe soft tyre may Һave cost Һim and Red Bull a cҺance to win tҺe…

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton blast ‘ridiculous’ mandatory F1 cooling vest plans

TҺe cooling vest made its debut in 2024, as an experiment to counter tҺe extreme temperatures seen in Qatar in 2023, wҺere drivers came close to fainting….

Max Verstappen calls for Red Bull review after Singapore ‘survival’

Max Verstappen Һas called for Red Bull to review tҺe issues Һe experienced during tҺe Singapore Grand Prix to “understand” wҺy Һis race became one of “surviving”….

McLaren face awƙward Max Verstappen decision tҺat will leave Lando Norris ‘unҺappy’

Riccardo Patrese believes tҺat McLaren will soon need to maƙe tҺe uncomfortable decision to prioritise Oscar Piastri over Lando Norris in tҺe Drivers’ CҺampionsҺip figҺt, sҺould Max…

Max Verstappen maƙes ‘very strong’ Mercedes 2026 F1 claim after deciding to stay at Red Bull

Max Verstappen still Һas every reason to be concentrating on tҺis season witҺ Red Bull, given tҺe state of tҺe drivers’ cҺampionsҺip. AltҺougҺ unliƙely, Verstappen could still…