Max Verstappen has staked an early claim on the suddenly-free seat at Mercedes…or has he?
With Nico Rosberg’s retirement leaving a seat at Mercedes unexpectedly open, the driver market will be thrown into chaos. Pretty much every driver, contracted or not, will be looking to see how they can get a seat at the team that has utterly dominated the sport for the last three years.
Mercedes have already received some applications:
So we’ve had a few enquiries this afternoon…
We’ll get back to you 👍#ThankYouForYourEnquiry #F1 pic.twitter.com/VcaFZxOMJT
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) December 2, 2016
Nice try, Pastor.
But one major name has already thrown his hat in the ring to be considered: Max Verstappen. This totally-serious-and-not-a-joke-honestly exchange on Twitter all but confirms Verstappen’s position as the new Mercedes driver for 2017.
@MercedesAMGF1 @F1 @MercedesBenz @MercedesAMG my job application is at least the best from the ones you got send isn’t it?😉😂 #F1 #humor
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) December 2, 2016
@Max33Verstappen @F1 @MercedesBenz @MercedesAMG When you put it like that… see you at 09:00 Monday morning? Bring cake. We like cake.
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) December 2, 2016
Ooof, Mercedes playing hardball. Is Max chasing Mercedes or are Mercedes chasing Max?!
@MercedesAMGF1 @F1 @MercedesBenz @MercedesAMG should I pick up guys?? pic.twitter.com/fF3f7oSkzL
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) December 2, 2016
Wow, Toto doesn’t hang about. Wonder if Max answered? Or was he just trying to phone Jos and got the wrong number? WE NEED ANSWERS!
@Max33Verstappen @F1 Toto just spoke to your father. He was open to negotiations… for his own seat, so he could (quote) “kick your ass” 😉
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) December 2, 2016
Ahhh, so Toto WAS trying to get through to Jos! Now that would be a comeback and a half.
@Max33Verstappen @F1 @MercedesBenz @MercedesAMG Just returning your call. Maybe talk later. Got someone to speak to first… pic.twitter.com/q5JzgXp7Uy
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) December 2, 2016
Oh, now this throws a spanner in the works. David Coulthard? Ok, he’s a little old, but he did race for Mercedes in the DTM a few years ago. This could be a good option for Mercedes – or is it just a bargaining tool to get a better deal with Max?
What a time to be alive. In the past driver negotiations happened in private behind closed doors, but now they’re happening publicly on Twitter for ALL TO SEE. Incredible.