HANDS OFF MAX Red Bull boss fires warning to Mercedes
CHRISTIAN HORNER has issued a “hands off” warning over his star drivers Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo as Mercedes look to solve their driver crisis.
Dutchman Verstappen, 19, is the hottest property in F1 after a string of stunning drives that have lit up the sport.
And the Australian in the other Red Bull has been on the drivers’ top table since blowing away Sebastian Vettel when they were team-mates at Red Bull two years ago.
Former world champion Lewis Hamilton rates Ricciardo as one of his toughest rivals.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff will tomorrow begin the seach for a driver after the shock departure of new world champion Nico Rosberg (below).
But Red Bull boss Horner killed the idea either of his drivers could switch camps – whatever the price. He told the Sunday Mirror: “Our drivers are both on long- term contracts.”
Verstappen and Ricciardo are both thought to be committed to the end of 2018 with more options following that date.
Jenson Button, holidaying in Japan, is investigating his options but would need McLaren’s consent to switch camps and abandon his ambassadorial role. Fernando Alonso is desperate to drive for Mercedes but is committed to a £25million McLaren deal to the end of next year.
So the realistic options are Valtteri Bottas, 27, managed by the man making the decision, Mercedes boss Wolff, and German Nico Hulkenberg, 29.
But both would have to be bought out of new deals with Williams and Renault signed in the last few months. The ready- made fall back is 22- year- old Mercedes protege Pascal Wehrlein, but he has only done one year in F1 at Manor.
Hamilton had a chilling warning to any Mercedes wannabe: “If you can’t stand the heat, don’t come. I don’t care who it
is. I just want to race.”