F1 News
"60% of the field would also become world champion if they had been in a Mercedes"
Max Verstappen believes that 60% of the grid would be capable of winning a world title if they were driving for Mercedes. The Red Bull Racing driver thinks that Mercedes's car is on a different level and has not ruled out switching teams if Red Bull fail to give him a fast car next year.
"Sixty percent of the field would also become world champion if they had been in the Mercedes," Verstappen said to Ziggo Sports. "The car is so dominant that a lot of people can win the title."
Mercedes have been the dominant team since 2014 and a move there would significantly increase Verstappen's chances of winning a world championship. However, it is unlikely that the team would race the Dutchman next to Lewis Hamilton.
"Who knows," Verstappen said about moving to Mercedes. "At the moment I'm not thinking too much about that, but in the end, it's all about what the team thinks about it. I can find it and he can find it, but in the end, the team decides what is going to happen."
Another youngster who is performing well is Charles Leclerc who has been racing for Ferrari. Many believe that the future of Formula 1 will be races between these two youngsters.
"I don't know [what Leclerc can do really well] I don't have something I think 'oh, I have to watch out for that. I've had one year of competition from him with karting, but for the rest not. It's always hard to compare, but don't think you ever have to think of drivers like 'oh, I've got to watch out for that'."
Verstappen's current plan is to stick with Red Bull and hope that they can provide him with a car capable of winning. If not, the Dutchman won't be scared to swap team and go and drive for the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari.