Verstappen Expects 'Bit Awkward' Season For Hamilton And Mercedes
F1Friday, 16 February 2024 at 21:45
Max Verstappen outlined the dilemma that awaits Mercedes from the beginning of the upcoming season, 2024.
Lewis Hamilton's departure from Mercedes is one of the biggest stories in the history of F1, and it surprised almost everyone. While there were a few speculations on why he chose to make this move, Hamilton gave his reasoning in a social media post.
The seven-time World Champion wrote that driving for Ferrari was his childhood dream. To be fair to the 39-year-old, this might be the last opportunity to do so in his career, and Max Verstappen said he can understand that decision as well. He said at Red Bull's launch event:
"I think at the end of the day, seeing him go to Ferrari is not a surprise. If that’s your goal as a kid or your dream, then you go right."
While Verstappen wasn't surprised by the announcement itself, he suggested the timing of it was rather strange as it created a couple of issues for the Mercedes driver and his team.
"The only thing for me was I think that it was a little bit leaked of course and then they had to announce it. Because to announce something that big that early in the season – for sure for the rest of the year [it] is a bit awkward even though you have had a lot of success together as a team, you can’t be included in everything anymore."
The seven-time World Champion will be taking all the information he has with himself to Ferrari, and that could give the Italian team an advantage over Mercedes.
"For sure he [Hamilton] has a great relationship with everyone [at Mercedes] and Toto. But Toto knows and Toto will tell him at some point 'we’ve had a lot of success, but you can’t be part of meetings anymore.'"
On the other hand, drivers are essential in the feedback loop for developing upgrades and improving the car's performance. Consequently, it will be very challenging for Mercedes to exclude the 39-year-old from the important conversations.
While it will be challenging for the German team, Verstappen believes Hamilton will understand why he must be excluded from some conversations.
"That’s normal in F1, but it’s probably a bit weird. But you are professional enough to deal with that."
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