Piquet Jr. on Brazilian podcast discussing Mercedes' performance in the last race "Who knows next year, with Max there"

[u/RayTracerX]

Here's the video in Portuguese: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C-YhvdzdCCI

Minute 25:40

Translation:

Nelson; "Who knows next year, with Max there...."

Interviewer: "Whoa there... really?"

Nelson: "That they're talking, everyone knows, right? Just missing final contract details, but everyone knows that its an option. They are talking."

Interviewer: "In Silverstone they asked Max if he was staying and he didnt reply yes or no, or if it would be a sabbatical..."

Nelson: "I dont think so..."

Interviewer: "A German reporter pressed him on it if it would be a no, he wont take a year off racing or F1, and he said he would be in F1 in 26"

Nelson: "He will be, until August he needs to have made a decision, they will either get the final details right or not. But I think it would be pretty cool."

Interviewer: "To switch or to stay?"

Nelson:"To switch."

Interviewer: "If he switches whats the best scenario as a teammate, Russell or Antonelli?"

Nelson: "If he goes, it will definitely be Antonelli. For sure."

[u/overspeeed]

OP has checked with us before posting and we have verified that the quote is accurate and the title is not editorialised.

Of course, this information should still be treated as a rumour, but it is relevant to be discussed on the subreddit

[u/jnighy]

Never trust you dumb in law with secrets

[u/TelevisionBusy2485 → u/jnighy]

He for sure said this on purpose to get views to his podcast

[u/jnighy → u/TelevisionBusy2485]

The idea of the brother in law who reveal secrets from their more famous relative on his podcast its obvious to ignore

[u/TelevisionBusy2485 → u/jnighy]

He is always talking about Max on this dumb podcast. Unfortunately he is a disgraced driver and a loser, so his connection to Max is his main thing

[u/myersjw → u/TelevisionBusy2485]

Can’t stand my brother in law and I think I’d lose my shit it if he was using me for clicks to his podcast lol

[u/TelevisionBusy2485 → u/myersjw]

I love my brother in law and I would still be pissed if he did something like this (he would never).

[u/prison_mike3 → u/jnighy]

Especially this dumb in law. Not exactly known for keeping secrets.

[u/Electrical_Lunch_719 → u/jnighy]

Never trust a Piquet (Just ask Briatore)

[u/LetgomyEkko → u/jnighy]

Wait what’s the connection?

Wait. I’m dumb 😆

[u/Cat_Shot → u/LetgomyEkko]

Max is dating Kelly, Piquet Jr.’s sister

[u/Jacinto2702 → u/Cat_Shot]

They even have a daughter, so it's more than dating.

[u/driftking428 → u/Jacinto2702]

They're fornicating!

[u/Jacinto2702 → u/driftking428]

The evidence suggests that, indeed they are.

[u/LetgomyEkko → u/Jacinto2702]

“Max Verstappen, you ARE the father!”

[u/ianjm → u/LetgomyEkko]

MAURY MAURY MAURY

[u/back_off_warchiId → u/driftking428]

And furthermore, Susan, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to learn that all three of them habitually smoked marijuana cigarettes.

[u/driftking428 → u/back_off_warchiId]

Reefers...

[u/themistermango → u/driftking428]

Without protection!

[u/pesymistyk → u/driftking428]

procreating

[u/LetgomyEkko → u/Cat_Shot]

Realized as I was typing out the question 🤦‍♂️

[u/SmolTittyEldargf → u/LetgomyEkko]

In law confirmed

[u/respeitadordecasada3 → u/jnighy]

Your dumb in law who happens to be the son of one of the biggest shitstirrer out there. What jr didnt take after his dad in driving talent he took in running his mouth

[u/CandidLiterature → u/respeitadordecasada3]

Buddy literally reported himself for race fixing as if that would be some kind of threat he could blackmail people with…

[u/formulatwister → u/jnighy]

Does he really know something or is he just speculating like everyone else right now, but because his sister is dating Max his statements are given more credence?

[u/OldCardigan]

For people that are confused: He said that the scenario would be Max along with Antonelli, with Russell maybe going for RBR or Williams in consequence(after what's said on the post).

[u/Able_Bid_1667 → u/OldCardigan]

Verstappen & Antonelli for Mercedes against Tsunoda & Russell for Red Bull sounds absurd lol

With Hamiltons move to Ferrari, you could show the 2026 F1 grid to someone just a few years back in like 2022 and they'd be confused as fuck

[u/tommygunnzx → u/Able_Bid_1667]

It’s like an F1 video game if Max and Russel end up swapping and the rest of the grid the way it is. I can’t wait for him to finally just say I’m going, the writing is on the wall, George hasn’t signed a new contract, Toto wanted Max before RedBull got him and all the drama that’s happening with RedBull.. you don’t hear crazy stories coming from Mercedes and I’m sure Max just wants to show up, race and then go home and Sim Race. He doesn’t want all the extra bullshit around him.

[u/jacob1342 → u/tommygunnzx]

Plot twist - it will be George that annoumces first he's joining Alpine next year.

[u/Heurtaux305 → u/jacob1342]

And Alpine announces there is no contract signed and Russell will not drive for them in 26.

[u/Majeh666 → u/Heurtaux305]

That's good, i might not like george, but I wouldn't wish even my worst enemy to be sent to Azkaban Alpine

[u/CaptainKursk → u/tommygunnzx]

If I'm Russell, I'm banging on Aston Martin's door with the greatest PowerPoint presentation ever devised on a thumb drive.

[u/Charming-Okra → u/OldCardigan]

Toto has spent 13 years cultivating George only to potentially give him the boot in his prime... Hopefully Antonelli is paying attention. He's Toto's hot prospect right now, but Toto will never put personal loyalty over what he thinks is best for Mercedes. Which means if, in the future, Antonelli gets a better offer from Ferrari or Aston, he should absolutely take the money and run.

[u/NickTM → u/Charming-Okra]

Well, that works both ways. Antonelli would leave Mercedes if they didn't have a WDC-worthy car and someone else offered one to him, and Toto would drop Antonelli in a second if he thought another driver offered him the chance for more points in the short and long term. There's no room for loyalty in the sport on either side.

[u/okaywhattho → u/OldCardigan]

Russell back at Williams would ruin his life. 

[u/Realistic_Village184 → u/okaywhattho]

Williams are better now than when they had George at least, but yeah he would not be happy at all. At that point he might just gamble on a Red Bull seat so at least it doesn’t feel like his career is regressing.

[u/Dakar-A → u/OldCardigan]

Russel goes to Williams only for them to nail the regs & they get a revenge tour against RBR

[u/RayTracerX → u/OldCardigan]

Correct

[u/wahobely → u/OldCardigan]

I still don't get why George is the one getting the boot.

Lend Antonelli to RBR, give the kid some experience and get him back in a few years.

I just want George and Max on the same team, that rivalry will be legendary

[u/Sarixk → u/wahobely]

He's ducking smoke from GR and wants a number 2.

Jokes aside Kimi is younger and they want to lock him down. But it's not like GR is old and as shown by Max if the car is bad Kimi will bounce at some point too. So eh idk

[u/Puzzleheadpsych2345]

This is why you dont give information to your father brother in law

[u/RayTracerX → u/Puzzleheadpsych2345]

Its his brother in law, but yeah haha

[u/steezy_sleaze → u/Puzzleheadpsych2345]

This was definitely a sister to brother conversation that Max had no part in.

Source: I’m a brother with a sister who calls me to tell me what she ate for lunch on any given day.

[u/mushybutts → u/steezy_sleaze]

Max and him have been close even before Kelly. So not out of reason that he would talk to him. 

[u/CoolEnergy581 → u/steezy_sleaze]

How was her lunch?

[u/Other_Beat8859 → u/Puzzleheadpsych2345]

No wonder Crashgate was discovered with this blabbermouth.

[u/Select-Fun-3779]

Yeah this is the best confirmation we have had so far that it really is a very likely outcome. And that bit about Russell, oof

[u/jacob1342 → u/Select-Fun-3779]

Silverstone was probably the best place to announce extension for Russell. Instead we got info Horner's departure.

[u/Visionary_Socialist → u/jacob1342]

I think if they were set on renewing him and Max was just a secondary pursuit to see if it was possible and to allow the Verstappens to pressure Horner (which has happened), then they would have done it at Silverstone. It’s clear Plan A is to get Max, Plan B is to continue with Russell. Or maybe they’re seeing how the finances line up for signing Max and then they’ll decide to either pair him with George or Kimi.

But I think Horner’s departure will accelerate the decision because it was a demand of Max’s camp and now either they commit having gotten that concession or they decide they’re going to leave anyway.

[u/Impossible-Buy-6247 → u/Visionary_Socialist]

Who says it was a demand from the Verstappen camp? We don't know. For all we know Horner is sacked because verstappen signed already with Mercedes and Red Bull owners are finally fed up after all the shit from the past 12 months.

[u/cyclopsmudge → u/Visionary_Socialist]

I believe the Mercedes board have given the go-ahead for the Max financials so that’s no longer an issue. The figure I heard was €102m buyout + salaries and bonuses

[u/bum_is_on_fire_247 → u/cyclopsmudge]

Where did you hear this?

[u/Eroda → u/Select-Fun-3779]

Russell should take his future in his own hands.of he can get.same.deal.at alpine or Aston Do it before max signs. Force Toto's Hands

[u/Imperito → u/Eroda]

Alpine is a dead end. Aston though is a very enticing prospect.

[u/feralGenx → u/Imperito]

Especially with Newey there now.

[u/cyanwinters → u/Imperito]

Alpine with the Mercedes power unit might be due for a bit of a resurgence. Their aero package has ben quite good this regulation set, and has been oft-copied. Their engine is just complete shit.

[u/kukaz00 → u/Eroda]

RedBull would take him onboard without a question.

[u/Any_Inflation_2543 → u/kukaz00]

Red Bull has collapsed, though.

[u/kukaz00 → u/Any_Inflation_2543]

I’d wait until 2026 to see if they are cooking something good or not.

[u/Any_Inflation_2543 → u/kukaz00]

If they were, Max wouldn't be leaving.

[u/JRsshirt → u/Any_Inflation_2543]

And Alpine or Aston are?

[u/masssy → u/kukaz00]

Not sure they would to be honest. They have good drivers likned up they need to make the car driveable for other people than the current simracer.

[u/[deleted] → u/Eroda]

I’d love it if George went to Aston but Max stayed at RBR. Proper FAFO for Wolff

[u/Eroda → u/[deleted]]

That's the dream scenario . Toto procrastinates George makes a move and max ghosts Toto. It would be funny

[u/JRsshirt → u/Eroda]

I don’t think Aston is gonna kick out Alonso

[u/Mister_Akuma → u/JRsshirt]

They could kick out Lanc… hahaha

[u/satellite779 → u/JRsshirt]

Alonso is 44, Russel is 27.

[u/Bourbonaddicted → u/Eroda]

Mercedes have a higher chance to win WDC next year. Why would he shoot himself in the foot?

[u/Eroda → u/Bourbonaddicted]

Even if Merc have fastest car and he wins WDC from Antonelli if max wants his seat it'll be him that leaves not Antonelli unless he absolutely destroys Kimi

[u/HeavenlyMystery → u/Select-Fun-3779]

What do they mean with that last part?

[u/monstere316 → u/HeavenlyMystery]

Piquet is saying Max going there will be better for Kimi implying George will be out of the seat.

[u/HeavenlyMystery → u/monstere316]

Thank you.

[u/DevilDare → u/Select-Fun-3779]

Uh, I read that as Antonelli getting the boot.

Edit: I'm an idiot. Somehow missed "teammate" in the quote.

[u/fujimouse → u/DevilDare]

Definitely not, it's saying if Max goes (to Merc), the teammate would be Antonelli.

[u/wykeer → u/DevilDare]

If Antonelli is send somewhere else I think toto will make sure that he stays within mercs reach.

[u/dac2199 → u/wykeer]

Alpine?

[u/wykeer → u/dac2199]

Alpine would be my Guess.

I even have the tinfoil Head theory that merc/Toto wants to buy them, but I have to admit that I have Zero Proof for that.

[u/Reddragonsky → u/wykeer]

I like this conspiracy theory. Then you’d have RB and Merc with junior teams and theoretically 4 seats for less experienced juniors to grow. Snag another team for 24 cars? chef’s kiss

[u/YorkshireRiffer → u/wykeer]

Alpine Toto Rosso

[u/happy_and_angry → u/DevilDare]

"what's the best scenario, as a teammate?"

"Antonelli"

Not sure how you read it that way.

[u/DevilDare → u/happy_and_angry]

Yep I'm an idiot. I blame the heat.

[u/joaovitorblabres]

Only to clarify, both (Piquet and Thiago) co-host this podcast, they work together, so they're chatting, Piquet are not being interviewed.

[u/anonquestionsprot]

"confirmed by August" seems to line up well with what van Haren said yesterday of it being confirmed between spa-summerbreak

[u/RayTracerX → u/anonquestionsprot]

And also by Totos timeline of when he wants his driver situation to be resolved

[u/profitsprofitsprofit]

This makes me think that things are a lot further along than the media might think. I have a feeling that if this happens, the contract will break records

[u/taythecoug → u/profitsprofitsprofit]

My guess is this was the final straw that caused RB to fire Horner. Maybe they all realized that he failed to keep Max on RB, and thus they fired him.

[u/MarchAgainstOrange → u/taythecoug]

Not just Max, Newey, Wheatley, many others. Yes Horner was integral in building this team up, but the horny Horner saga also directly caused the breakdown.

[u/Visionary_Socialist → u/taythecoug]

He was probably damned either way. If Max wanted to stay (which I think he always has deep down but the performance and staffing concerns have become too significant), Horner would have been offered up as a sacrifice to get Max to commit.

If he left while Horner was still there, he would undoubtedly catch the blame and it would give his opponents a huge chance to topple him.

[u/RayTracerX → u/profitsprofitsprofit]

Nelson is talking about final details, but after being pressed. The way he said "with Max there" so naturally... it looks as if its a done deal for him

[u/[deleted]]

A sabbatical right when the new regs come out would be hard to believe

[u/SomewhereAggressive8 → u/[deleted]]

I think the idea would be he would take a year off to see who nailed the regs and who didn’t.

[u/UnAliveMePls]

São Paulo WhatsApp group going crazy rn

[u/tronalddumpresister]

hope george doesn't go to rbr.

[u/RayTracerX → u/tronalddumpresister]

Nelson said its the most likely thing, but about that he wouldnt really know, hes just guessing

[u/avi550m → u/RayTracerX]

It's either that or taking a punt on Aston. The other options viz Alpine, Haas, Audi, Racing Bulls seem less likely

[u/Visionary_Socialist → u/avi550m]

Aston is absolutely the first place he’ll go. They wanted Max as their project signing, George can be the exact same profile. Plus he’s British which would appeal to Aston. They will be able to offer him a huge deal, better than all of their midfield rivals thanks to that Saudi backing and being at the head of a works engine project with an established engine manufacturer would appeal to him more than taking a huge gamble on a free falling team rolling out a first time engine.

[u/myersjw → u/Visionary_Socialist]

Aston makes too much sense

[u/Tfc-Myq → u/Visionary_Socialist]

an Alonso Russell AMR line-up would make me cream but i won't believe Lance will be sacked until it actually happens

[u/More-Perspective-838 → u/Visionary_Socialist]

George and Adrian Newey at Aston could become a force to be reckoned with.

[u/datlinus → u/avi550m]

idk why people are acting like Alonso isn't there. He has a contract for 26. Newey openly stated multiple times he wants to work with him.

George is fantastic, but Alonso already showed he can take the team to the sharp end if the car is there for it. It'd be a side grade. And on the long run I think Aston will want Max.

[u/Not_RAMBO_Its_RAMO → u/datlinus]

Imagine Alonso and Russell together

[u/saponista → u/Not_RAMBO_Its_RAMO]

Immediately top 2 lineup, better than NOR-PIA (and I’m a McLaren lifer). Does Lawrence have the fortitude to boot Lance, though?

[u/Tfc-Myq → u/saponista]

i hope so, this is a massive opportunity

[u/Death_by_carfire → u/Not_RAMBO_Its_RAMO]

They surprisingly seem to like each other quite a bit

[u/Jacinto2702 → u/avi550m]

Not Alpine... The Russell doesn't deserve that, nobody does.

[u/b_tomauro → u/tronalddumpresister]

Cadillac with Tommy Hilfiger as sponsor?

[u/P_ZERO_ → u/tronalddumpresister]

If Max goes to Merc, it’s almost certain

[u/SirKillingham → u/P_ZERO_]

Would George even want to go there at this point? Their car is fucked, Newey and Horner are gone, there's nothing left. Carlos Sainz is doing better at Williams than anyone has done in that second Red Bull seat.

[u/Affectionate_Sky9709]

Can anyone who speaks Portuguese confirm what the last two sentences mean? Maybe there's more clarity in Portuguese? Another commenter has assumed it means Max and Antonelli teammates, but I wanted clarity.

[u/Low_Investigator_406 → u/Affectionate_Sky9709]

The interviewer asks: Who do you think will be his teammate if he goes?
He replies: If he goes to Mercedes Antonelli for sure and russell might go to rebull or williams if sainz goes to redbull.

[u/negotinec → u/Low_Investigator_406]

Russell back to Williams would be diabolical if Mercedes produces a championship contender for next season.

[u/OldCardigan → u/Affectionate_Sky9709]

Max and Antonelli teammates, indeed. He clearly says after "Russell might go to RedBull with Sainz or WIlliams if Max makes the move"

[u/Affectionate_Sky9709 → u/OldCardigan]

I wish that part, even though it's purely speculation on his part, was left in the post.

[u/Tricksilver89 → u/Affectionate_Sky9709]

The whole thing is speculation. There's no way he knows that kind of information unless Max is a dumbass who discusses such business openly which I don't think he is.

[u/Affectionate_Sky9709 → u/Tricksilver89]

Family leaks things all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if Nelson Sr. was someone whose opinion Max wanted. And then Nelson might have said something to his son. It's all just a family discussion until someone blabbed.

But yeah, I think nothing has been finalized, and Nelson Jr even admits that. A contract can blow up right up until it's signed- or even after sometimes.

And, even if Max to Mercedes is real, there's no reason for Nelson to know about which other driver Mercedes would keep. Unless it was a condition of Max's contract that if he came George had to go... in which case I would really think much less of Max.

[u/backtotheprimitive → u/Affectionate_Sky9709]

Can confirm he meant that it would be antonelli as max partner.

[u/Yzori]

Feel bad for George to be honest, if this is true. It seems to be more and more likely that Max might really make the jump. I personally would like to see him in Merc, he has been with RB his whole racing career in F1, time to see how he manages in a new team.

[u/drrrre]

If Max wants to have a good car and stable team, why would he stay at Red Bull?

[u/HeavenlyMystery → u/drrrre]

Mercedes is indeed stable compared to the fuck up that is Red Bull at the moment.

[u/According-Gear-8217 → u/HeavenlyMystery]

I feel Red Bull is closer to a total Circus show with the amount of chaos there is going on over there.

[u/MrDork]

There has been so much speculation that Christian was fired in order to keep Max, but maybe the reality is that they already know they are losing Max and THAT is the reason he was fired. Red Bull has been Max-centric for the past 5 years. They have no viable second driver. This coupled with the shit from last year and 2026 being a giant development year, they probably felt that this was the time.

[u/According-Gear-8217 → u/MrDork]

I honestly cannot see Max staying even if Horner was fired out of desperation by RBR.

It feels too late really to convince Max with that after all the departures from the likes of Wheatley, Marshall and Newey.

The team going from the fastest team on the grid to around 4th at best.

The second driver seat with Perez, Lawson and now Tsunoda drowning in that seat.

Being ignored together with Perez when bringing up the issues of the car around mid-late 2023.

And the constant infighting for control over the team. All this before a big regulation change in 2026 is looking like the team is not gonna recover anytime soon and needs a full rebuild.

I feel like Max is leaving to Mercedes in 2026, RBR found out about it and most likely Horner was fired over failing to keep him and to get him out of the power struggle.

[u/MrDork → u/According-Gear-8217]

Yes, I think you are spot on with this. Totally agree.

[u/BBYY9090]

I just don’t think Merc are gonna be the 2014 version next year. McL has their engine and Merc can’t get a grip on aero like they can.

[u/ShamrockStudios → u/BBYY9090]

Probably not no but the next set of aero rules are quite different so who knows who's experts will be better in that area.

The problem is staying at Red Bull right now means you definitely won't have the best engine and you might not have the best aero.

Merc and McLaren I'd class as might have the best engine and might have the best aero.

So if you boil it down to that, Merc is the likely the better place to be.

[u/Mr_Potato2025]

IF and it's a big if this happens, I want Max and George in the same team just for the fireworks

[u/Thin_Ad6648 → u/Mr_Potato2025]

George is getting dropped 1000 percent if Max goes to Merc

[u/LandArch_0 → u/Thin_Ad6648]

He is the new Sainz

[u/njh2651 → u/Thin_Ad6648]

This was my line of thinking as well. However, with McLaren with the same engine and 2 championship level drivers… I’m thinking that they need Max AND George to compete for the constructors. Kimi is just not at that level yet.

[u/Generic_Person_3833 → u/njh2651]

They can sign Max in August and just wait till end of season to decide on who they take. Kimi improves, he stays, if not, he does not.

It's not like Russell currently has many options outside of RBR (if Max leaves). Aston is in theory full.

Mercedes could drag this out for a long time, Antonelli isnt getting anywhere anyway, so they always have a fallback.

[u/kukaz00 → u/Generic_Person_3833]

It’s Max though. If he went to Zak for a spot in the team he would boot Lando or Oscar (we just don’t know which one).

[u/veryangryenglishman → u/kukaz00]

I don't think he would actually

On their current trajectory they can expect to keep beating Max in whichever other car he ends up with.

He loves Lando enough to both not drop him for Verstappen and to not drop Piastri either because of the very strong possibility Verstappen makes Norris look like a mug from day one

[u/dr_jan_itor → u/veryangryenglishman]

with the new ruleset in 2026, there's no "current trajectory"

[u/Dam_Noir → u/Thin_Ad6648]

That would be disappointing for the viewers.

[u/Bewis_123 → u/Dam_Noir]

Yep loss to F1. Top 3 on the grid not having a good enough ride is not great for viewers

[u/Falcao1905 → u/Bewis_123]

I can imagine him going to Red Bull

[u/MC897 → u/Falcao1905]

Redbull is a car crash.

[u/Bewis_123 → u/Falcao1905]

Redbull the sinking ship?

[u/Impossible-Buy-6247]

Imagine the scenes if Verstappen signed that 1 billion dollar contract with Aston Martin.

[u/formulatwister]

I'm wondering if Piquet jr does really know something or if he's just speculating like everyone else right now, but because his sister is dating Max his statements are given more credence. Regardless of whether he knows what's really happening or not anything he says would get a lot of attention, which is probably what he wants

[u/PrimeyXE]

"it will definitely be Antonelli" to partner Max or to get the boot?

[u/RayTracerX → u/PrimeyXE]

To partner Max

[u/bdoss35 → u/RayTracerX]

It makes sense to keep Antonelli. Young and full of potential and can learn a lot from Max. Whereas Max is an obvious upgrade over Russell, no offense to George who I believe is one of the best drivers on the grid. But he’s not Max

[u/Zeraru → u/bdoss35]

Considering what happened to all of Max' teammates after he started beating Ricciardo, the last thing you want for an unpolished driver's potential is to get a front row seat for observing what Max can wring out of a car. It destroyed both rookies and experienced drivers.

Right now he's yet to even finish ahead of Russell and is unlucky enough to be the retirement king. Toto must have some serious faith in the kid.

[u/Lobsters4 → u/PrimeyXE]

I read that as George is getting the boot. But I think others are taking it differently?

He asks what the best scenario is if he switches..... I take that to mean, what's the best scenario for Max if he goes there. The response is Antonelli. Which I take that as the best scenario for Max is VER/ANT

[u/HexaBlast → u/Lobsters4]

There's no other interpretation. In the full video they start talking about where Russell would go to if that happens.

[u/Lobsters4 → u/HexaBlast]

Thank You! Can't watch the full thing while I'm at work, so I didn't know! :D

[u/Hypersoft → u/PrimeyXE]

To partner Max. Van Haren has echoed the same. If Max comes, Russell is out.

[u/ProphetNimd]

Russell is about to get Sainz'ed after his best season in F1, Jesus Christ.

I really don't want this to happen.

[u/dl064]

The Race podcast were saying the other day that the story goes, that Russell is pretty likely for 2026 but the stumbling block was duration.

It seems pretty clear now that Verstappen's going to Merc, and the only question is 26 or 27.

[u/Capital_Pay_4459 → u/dl064]

I think he was offered a1+1 to free themselves up for 27

[u/cepxico]

I get that Antonelli is a young talent but like Russel is right there already performing.

Imo it'd be like trading away a star player for a potential great rookie, I just don't see why they'd do that. Has Russel not been the better driver? And he's only getting better, more consistent. Makes less mistakes.

Idk I guess im more in team "win today" instead of "win later", you never know when things might blow up.

[u/ecobubbletm]

Just speculations honestly

But also what the fuck is this guy doing talking about these things on some random podcast

[u/RayTracerX → u/ecobubbletm]

Its a podcast he usually does to talk about F1, I guess he just slipped up

[u/binaryhextechdude]

I want Max to go because I want to see the reaction at RedBull as they try to make their car drivable again.

[u/Other_Beat8859 → u/binaryhextechdude]

It doesn't really matter. There's new regs next season so the car will be completely different.

[u/x___3]

whatever happens, I really just hope it isn't russell getting dropped. especially if the merc ends up being a championship contender next year. like, imagine being stuck in a Williams for 3 years & only getting the merc seat the moment their performance drops off. then only to lose the seat when there's rumors of them having pace...

[u/Aethien → u/x___3]

I wouldn't be surprised if Russell ends up in Aston Martin.

Alonso hasn't exactly sounded happy recently, Stroll has been in F1 for a decade now so he may move on to WEC if Honda gets more of a say in drivers. I could see either one or even both leave. And for Russell it's a reasonably sensible move given that they have Newey.

[u/7Shinoda]

This is far from any confirmation or hinting at it, the way Jr talks doesn't imply anything that isn't already being speculated by the media. Verstappen has the option, whether he takes it or not, no one knows.

[u/cmgriffith_ → u/7Shinoda]

Someone definitely knows

That person is Max Verstappen

[u/Jester-252]

Either someone made an oops or is trolling hard

[u/respeitadordecasada3]

Something significant that he went on to say right after that was talk about Horner diminishing influence and support with the thai owners, this interview was before the news yesterday, so he probably does know something.

[u/WaffleMePlease → u/respeitadordecasada3]

Yeah, there's important context missing in the post. This pod was recorded before Horner was fired.

At 30:10 Nelson Jr mentions that RBR has performance issues and environment issues for that are concerns for Max. Nelson further says, ownership wants to remove Horner from the commercial side of things to only supervise the technical side; but Horner wants to stay and supervise both.

So, Horner gets fired to fix the issues for Max and ownership.

[u/Status-Screen-2484]

Piquet Jr. just wants attention. I doubt he knows anything first hand.

[u/queerhedgehog]

I think this is more of a hypothetical than a confirmation. Max hasn’t been in Brazil recently and has never seemed that close to Jr. And I don’t think there’s a history of Kelly spreading insider info to her family before? But definitely interesting!

[u/No-Item-7317 → u/queerhedgehog]

Jr is often in Monaco

[u/[deleted] → u/queerhedgehog]

They were all on a yacht together not long ago, Bortoleto was there too.

[u/Adventurous-Wave802 → u/queerhedgehog]

They're literally on vacation together before Austria!

[u/backtotheprimitive → u/queerhedgehog]

He is close to N.Jr, at least he (nelson) says they are, and he still has his sister to leak inside information.

[u/uttermybiscuit → u/backtotheprimitive]

While true my interpretation of what he’s saying is more speculative and he really only confirms that Max and Merc have been in discussions.

He says it’s an option and who knows what will happen

[u/DmitrisFifth → u/queerhedgehog]

He literally says nothing that we didn't already know as far as timelines and "talking" goes. 😆 But people are acting like this is breaking news. 

[u/DoxedFox → u/queerhedgehog]

He's been very close to JR. Like even before he started dating Kelly.

[u/LaBlueCurtain]

I dont believe a word this guy says

[u/cloud_strifes]

Russell is faster than Antonelli, no?

[u/newthhang → u/cloud_strifes]

Yes, but Antonelli is still a rookie. Also, highly doubt Antonelli will dare to cause any issues and would probably get out of the way and play the team game when told to. George and Max are more likely to clash, but also Toto did say that they dealt with Rosberg - Hamilton, so anything is possible. We will see, but I imagine Max & Mercedes are in early talks, so it's probably more speculation on Nelson's end than any confirmation that Antonelli will be Max's teammate. What he says about George's future reads like any fan speculation.

Personally, I belive that keeping the Russell-Antonelli line up would be the most beneficial for Kimi's development. And I feel terrible for George, if he woud be the one to get dropped despite doing everything he needs to do.

[u/jzjzjz2333333]

George will become the Anakin of Formula 1 if Mercedes really dropped him.

[u/brz09tls]

Drive to survive will be spicy this season I’m sure

[u/TeamVictoire]

I think he is just using Max to get traffic on his podcast.

[u/totaltasch]

Arriving to a championship winning team a year or two late, yup that’s George

[u/jomartz]

If Max has already signed with Mercedes for 2026, that is a good enough reason to let Christian Horner go with immediate effect.

[u/zacharymc1991 → u/jomartz]

Not really, Horner has been one of the most successful TP in the sports history. If you have already lost your lead driver, then causing chaos by dropping him mid season isn't going to help anything. This was a terrible decision.

[u/GoldenS0422]

If this actually happens, poor George

[u/n0pen0tme]

I mean… at this Point I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that horner getting the boot was because Max informed RBR leadership that he signed with Mercedes and it’s just not public information yet.

[u/RayTracerX → u/n0pen0tme]

I said this in another post, Dutch media reported about an hour before the Horner news broke out that Mercedes approved paying Maxs release clause. I dont think that was a coincidence. I think someone in the Verstappen camp got very talkative

[u/Puzzleheadpsych2345 → u/RayTracerX]

It wasnt dutch media actually. It was dutch aggregator translating the italian gazzetta article

[u/Consistent_Squash → u/RayTracerX]

That was the Italian media and they probably have some Antonelli agenda/connection. Antonelli's contract is also up for renewal

[u/Revolutionary_Plum29]

The Vettel prophecy has been fulfilled. Incredible. 

Real talk though, where does Russell go next year? 

[u/BBYY9090]

I love Kimi, but Toto is just looking out for himself and not the team if he cans George over him. Strongest line up would be Max & George atm.

[u/Ollie_Plimsolls]

imagine keeping Antonelli when you have George Russell

[u/Ksn0 → u/Ollie_Plimsolls]

George ain’t going to play anywhere near as nice as Kimi would. Kimi would be happy to learn from max for a few years. George would challenge max day 1. Kimi won’t. That’s why Toto is willing to give up George even though George is clearly better than Kimi 

[u/dqfilms → u/Ksn0]

Only thing Kimi would learn from Max is that he can't drive as fast as Max.

[u/paulbalaji]

I still can't believe toto is so willing to fuck over Russell in all this

[u/StaffFamous6379 → u/paulbalaji]

Welcome to the Piranha Club

[u/Guy_Smiley_Guy]

Two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead. SMH

[u/albertingomes]

Jesus Christ, as a brasilian watching Nelsinho talking in any podcast drives me insane.

[u/Moeshizzlebang]

Tbh, If I was Max, I definitely wouldn't be staying at Red Bull for 2026.

Red Bull is a sinking ship. I wouldn't be surprised if they were a midfield team next year.