#i am the f1 version of a tin foil hatter but idc

[f0point5]

Why would Max go to Mercedes when he has set up team redline with Redbull? I know it isnt the racing team but it still part of the brand

So long as I am now out there with my crack theories based on nothing but vibes…

I think this is a reason why Max would never move to Merc, and THE reason his “camp” is siding with the Austrians. Red Bull GmbH is Verstappen.com and Team Redline’s big investor (it’s public record I’m pretty sure they are stakeholders in team Redline as at last year), not RBR. That support may well be set to increase when he leaves F1 and fully dedicates his time to the project…

Not to mention, RB apparently had the engine deal with Porsche pretty much signed until Horner vetoed it and brought Ford in instead. We know that Team Redline was testing Porsche GT cars, wrapped in the Redline livery, over the winter. Could all be a coincidence but is it a wild suggestion that the Austrians have a personal connection with Porsche/Volkswagen and they were livid when the deal didn’t go through? Idk.

My point is, Max’s future plans seem way more aligned with the Austrian faction than “Red Bull Racing”. It’s possible that while Max is staying neutral to do his day job, Jos is playing patsy for the Austrians and making sure they know that team Verstappen stands with them for the long haul.

All this to say…why on earth would he go to Merc, where none of this support system exists and where he would have to build new bridges for future endeavours? I personally don’t see it.