MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 18: Max Verstappen, driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing and qualified on pole position, receives the Pirelli Pole Position Award from Jacques Villeneuve during qualifying for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 18, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Earlier this year, before the F1 car launch in early March, F1 factories were busy preparing their 2024 cars for launch and testing in Bahrain. At that time, Red Bull seemed like a harmonious Camelot on the outside, while Mercedes struggled with another poor car.
However, everything changed drastically. Christian Horner’s ‘sex messages’ scandal caused chaos and turmoil at Red Bull, shaking the team to its core. Then, on February 1, the F1 world was rocked by the news that Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton would unite from 2025, a truly historic moment.
On May 1, speculations about Adrian Newey leaving Ferrari to design cars for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc caused shockwaves on the web. The sport’s greatest designer potentially leaving the sport’s biggest team was a major point of discussion.
So, what will be the next step for Max Verstappen? With Newey leaving Red Bull, Ferrari securing their drivers, and Mercedes remaining one of the top three teams, the Dutch F1 world champion has some decisions to make.
Interestingly, Jacques Villeneuve, in an interview with the Crypto Casino LTD media team, has a unique perspective on the matter. He suggests that Verstappen should consider rebuilding Audi and racing with them. Villeneuve believes that Verstappen has the confidence to win with any team, so why not Audi?
Villeneuve also points out the challenges that come with joining Mercedes. Despite their previous dominance, they have struggled in recent years and have failed to resolve their issues. They have even worsened their car year after year. Villeneuve argues that when a team is so used to winning, they forget what it takes to win when faced with difficulties. Starting from scratch and recovering is not an easy task.
Mercedes has only achieved one victory in the last three seasons, with George Russell securing that win at the 2022 São Paulo GP. In contrast, Red Bull, mainly led by Max Verstappen, has won 43 times since then. This further reinforces Villeneuve’s argument that Mercedes is not familiar with the experience of not winning.
In conclusion, the F1 landscape has changed dramatically with various scandals, team movements, and the emergence of new competitors. Verstappen’s future is at stake, and the decision he makes will certainly shape the next chapter of his racing career.
“Max is always in a state of intense focus during races and it seems like he never tires of it,” notes Villeneuve. “That is a great strength. If he were to join another team, he might not have the same level of success. He wouldn’t have the same level of support and protection from Marko, where most of the attention is focused on Max.
“It would be the beginning of a new chapter, and it remains to be seen if his father, Jos, would be allowed to participate as well. These uncertainties would be incredibly intriguing to see how Max develops. If he makes that leap, we will truly discover his true abilities,” ventured Villeneuve.
The former F1 world champion in 1997 does not have confidence in Mercedes beyond the Hamilton era: “Mercedes has not taken the necessary steps, and the atmosphere does not seem friendly at the moment.
“They present themselves as a team that is thriving superficially, but it seems tensions are boiling underneath. They are in the process of preparing Kimi Antonelli. That is the next goal of Toto Wolff; he intends to introduce his protégé to F1.”
The entry of Audi into F1 in 2026 is progressing rapidly, with veteran German F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg confirmed as their first driver. Carlos Sainz is reportedly the favorite for the second seat, but he may be waiting to assess how the unpredictable F1 Silly Season unfolds.
Villeneuve shared his thoughts on Sauber’s transformation into Audi in the upcoming seasons: “They have a long and challenging journey ahead, as the team is currently in a terrible state. They must avoid a situation similar to Williams a few years ago, when they were left in a desolate state that required a complete rebuild.
“We have seen in the past that, no matter how much money is invested in a team, it does not guarantee success, as Toyota experienced. Despite having the best facilities and the biggest budget, they ultimately failed.
“It all comes down to the team culture and the competence of the person in charge. Does the team principal really have knowledge? You need competent people in positions like team principal, designer, and mechanics. Politicians have no place in the team. You need individuals who excel in their respective roles,” Villeneuve explained, reflecting on his time at Williams when they were one of the top teams in F1.
About Hulkenberg’s future ventures: “Hulkenberg had limited options, given his long but unremarkable career. He performed adequately as a third-tier driver, but then he joined Haas alongside a rather mediocre teammate. Now, everyone is praising him as extraordinary, but he remains essentially the same.
“He has always been a skilled driver, on par with Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez, and he has navigated the sport skillfully. He began showing aggression towards Haas, but they offered him a chance, and now he has become quite politically inclined.
“He made statements in the media, and now he is expressing gratitude for the opportunity and heading to Audi, which is truly remarkable. At Audi, he will finally be part of a respectable team, and it is worth noting that he is also German!” emphasized Villeneuve.
The team principal of Audi in F1, Andreas Seidl, has previously collaborated with Hulkenberg (when they triumphed together at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours with Porsche) and worked with Sainz at McLaren. This duo would be ideal for the new team, as both drivers bring a wealth of experience.
Unless, of course, Audi executives take their F1 project extremely seriously and are willing to offer an unlimited budget to attract Verstappen to the team, as suggested by Villeneuve.
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