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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen could end up being a key player in the battle between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, considering how tense things can get.
Verstappen has two more seasons left on his contract with Red Bull, but there are serious doubts about whether he can last until then due to his unhappiness with the current regulations.
Also, Red Bull has struggled to field a consistent title contender, leaving Verstappen quite frustrated overall.
However, over at Mercedes, things are looking quite rosy in terms of the car’s performance — it is the fastest on the grid by quite a wide margin.
May 2, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (left), Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli (center) and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc (16) pose for a photo after finishing the qualifying session for the F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The team holds the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship, and Mercedes leads the Constructors’ Championship as well.
With both drivers at the top, things have gotten testy for the German car manufacturer as Antonelli and Russell fight for the title.
Both drivers were battling intensely in Canada, resulting in a tight race for the win until Russell’s car failed to finish. Antonelli and Russell defended hard, resulting in some questionable moves and a lot of team radio chatter.
May 24, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (3) during the Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
According to The Race’s Scott Mitchell-Malm, Verstappen is the carrot that team principal Toto Wolff can dangle in front of either driver to keep them from clashing seriously.
Russell and Antonelli have kept it calm for some time now, but with Russell’s possibly only real chance at a title at stake and a fiery young driver like Antonelli, things could boil over, and team play could end up being ruined.
If either driver is going to start a fight on the grid, then Mercedes could very well go for the feistiest driver, who will certainly deliver results: Verstappen.
“If either Russell or Antonelli burn the bridge with Mercedes it will be because they don’t think the ends justify the means which means they’re either not good enough to get the job done and they’re causing a problem or they’re kind of good enough to get the job done when they’re dominant like now but they’re causing a problem so maybe it’s not worth it.”
Mercedes has been linked to Verstappen since 2024, and Wolff would certainly appreciate a driver of Verstappen’s character who is cutthroat.
Continue reading...
Verstappen has two more seasons left on his contract with Red Bull, but there are serious doubts about whether he can last until then due to his unhappiness with the current regulations.
Also, Red Bull has struggled to field a consistent title contender, leaving Verstappen quite frustrated overall.
However, over at Mercedes, things are looking quite rosy in terms of the car’s performance — it is the fastest on the grid by quite a wide margin.
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May 2, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (left), Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli (center) and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc (16) pose for a photo after finishing the qualifying session for the F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The team holds the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship, and Mercedes leads the Constructors’ Championship as well.
With both drivers at the top, things have gotten testy for the German car manufacturer as Antonelli and Russell fight for the title.
Both drivers were battling intensely in Canada, resulting in a tight race for the win until Russell’s car failed to finish. Antonelli and Russell defended hard, resulting in some questionable moves and a lot of team radio chatter.
You must be registered for see images attach
May 24, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (3) during the Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
According to The Race’s Scott Mitchell-Malm, Verstappen is the carrot that team principal Toto Wolff can dangle in front of either driver to keep them from clashing seriously.
Russell and Antonelli have kept it calm for some time now, but with Russell’s possibly only real chance at a title at stake and a fiery young driver like Antonelli, things could boil over, and team play could end up being ruined.
If either driver is going to start a fight on the grid, then Mercedes could very well go for the feistiest driver, who will certainly deliver results: Verstappen.
“If either Russell or Antonelli burn the bridge with Mercedes it will be because they don’t think the ends justify the means which means they’re either not good enough to get the job done and they’re causing a problem or they’re kind of good enough to get the job done when they’re dominant like now but they’re causing a problem so maybe it’s not worth it.”
Mercedes has been linked to Verstappen since 2024, and Wolff would certainly appreciate a driver of Verstappen’s character who is cutthroat.
Continue reading...
