Max Verstappen tipped to replace F1 star if he leaves Red Bull - 'He'd have to go'

Mercedes have been tipped to rid of youngster Andrea Kimi Antonelli if they do sign . The star's future continues to be a talking point with the Silver Arrows seen as a potential destination.

Verstappen has won the last four championships but the Austrian team have dealt with talk of in-fighting and the Dutchman has been linked with a move away from Red Bull, where he's spent almost his entire career, before he calls time on his stay in the sport.

had to replace in the summer and promoted young star Antonelli to drive alongside George Russell. The latter has had several years with the team and is now their leader having proven himself as a race-winning driver.

Antonelli has secured top six finishes in his two races so far, but if Verstappen made it clear he was keen on a move to Mercedes than the team would almost certainly back Russell which would leave Antonelli out in the cold according to former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone

He told : "If Max were to go to Mercedes, the young Antonelli, who has been performing brilliantly so far, would probably have to go."

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

The Silver Arrows have seen their previous dominance fade and the era where they won seven constructor's titles on the bounce has long passed. Adding a driver of Verstappen's calibre would aid their chances of winning with there being little likelihood of them backing the potential of Antonelli over Russell.

Mercedes boss has previously delivered mixed messages, once claiming every top team would be keeping tabs on Verstappen. However he's since said: "So at the moment that (a move for Verstappen) is not on any radar. I don't plan to shift my concentration away from these guys and (will) make sure that George has some visibility very soon, or has a contract very soon."

Verstappen is under contract to Red Bull until the end of 2028 but there are clauses in his contract that could see him leave under certain circumstances. The Austrian outfit are nowhere near the dominant force of old and that could factor into the driver's thinking.

The Dutchman's performances have allowed Red Bull, who have seen other drivers massively struggle, to remain competitive near the front of the field. However Verstappen hasn't been shy in criticising the team and some of their decisions, particularly the call to drop Liam Lawson.

Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix he said it "was not a mistake" that he liked a comment on social media describing Red Bull's decision to demote Lawson as "a panic move" and "close to bullying". When quizzed on it the world champion claimed: "I liked the comment, the text, so I guess that speaks for itself, right?"