“No-Go” – Red Bulls Advisor Reveals Two Big Factors Hindering Lewis and Max Partnership…

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko dismisses the possibility of Lewis Hamilton partnering with Max Verstappen at Red Bull, citing concerns related to tension and financial considerations. Rumors surfaced during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale, suggesting Hamilton’s camp inquired about a potential seat at Red Bull. Despite Red Bull boss Christian Horner attempting to contact Hamilton, the message did not reach him due to an outdated mobile number. Hamilton, however, reaffirmed his commitment to Mercedes by signing a new two-year deal.

Marko, a key decision-maker in driver selections, opposes the idea of a Hamilton-Verstappen lineup, pointing out two significant obstacles. Firstly, he mentions the intense competition and tension between the drivers in 2021. Secondly, he emphasizes the financial challenge of having the two most expensive drivers in a single team. When asked about the possibility, Marko unequivocally rejected it, stating “no way” due to these crucial factors.

The decision by Red Bull not to pursue Hamilton raises questions about whether they have learned from past experiences. Marko recalls the tensions within the team during the early 2010s when Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were teammates. The infamous ‘Multi21′ incident during the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix strained their relationship, leading to Webber’s departure at the end of the season. Marko suggests that Red Bull’s reluctance to pair high-profile drivers may stem from the conflicts and issues experienced in their history.

He draws parallels with Mercedes’ past struggles, highlighting the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg during the early years of the turbo hybrid era. The intense competition and disregard for team orders damaged their friendship over three years until Rosberg won the world championship in 2016 and subsequently retired. Both Mercedes and Red Bull seem to have adopted a strategy of having a clear number two driver—Valtteri Bottas for Mercedes and Sergio Perez for Red Bull—possibly learned from the complications arising from intra-team rivalries in the past.