Verstappen ‘may replace Hamilton at Mercedes’
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes Mercedes will target Max Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton's replacement.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton recently agreed a one-year contract extension but Mercedes are having to consider life after their star driver, who will be 37 next year.
Verstappen, 23, is seen as the natural heir to Hamilton's Formula One throne and, although the Dutchman's current contract with Red Bull expires in 2023, a number of performance-related clauses could trigger his departure at the end of the year.
“I am sure that, should Lewis decide to stop, then Max will naturally be the driver at the top of Mercedes' list,” said Horner.
“They also have George Russell and other drivers available to them. The reality is, that yes of course – as there has always been – an element of performancerelated clauses to Max's contract.
“But, as with all these things, it is not about forcing a driver that doesn't want to be there. It is more about relationships than contracts, and you only pull a contract out when you have a problem, in my experience.
“The relationship with Max is very strong. He believes in the project, in what we are doing, and he sees the investment that Red Bull is making. I am confident we won't need to refer to any contractual clauses. It will be down to us to deliver a competitive car.”
Horner was speaking after news that Red Bull will make their own engines from 2022 after agreeing to take over Honda's F1 operation.