Doornbos warns Verstappen about Ford: ‘You want to have a factory team like Mercedes’

According to former driver Robert Doornbos, Mercedes will be a big team again from 2026. In his opinion, a factory team like Mercedes has a better chance to succeed under the new regulations and a new engine than a private company like Red Bull Racing and Ford. The Austrian racing team’s current success won’t last forever, and so Doornbos understands that Max Verstappen is already looking at his options.

The technical regulations will be changed again in 2026 and that currently plays a very important role in every negotiation about drivers’ contracts. For example, Fernando Alonso has already confirmed his faith in Aston Martin and Honda, who will work together from 2026, by signing a multi-year contract on April 11. Perhaps his contract will last until the end of 2026, so that he can see how the new engine, which is more electric, it does. strength must give. For example, Red Bull is joining forces with Ford, but Doornbos is not convinced that everything will go smoothly.

In his opinion, Mercedes will be a big team again from 2026. ‘Ford will not do that. It seems now, they don’t have enough power,” says the former driver Ziggo Sports Run Restaurant. The idea that Red Bull will not dominate again in two years is very sensitive among some fans. The fact that Verstappen is associated with Mercedes is also not well received everywhere. “I think it’s crazy (Red Bull’s success, ed.),” Doornbos continues. ‘This is the only team I know well. But I also know how Formula 1 works. Never change a winning teamyes, but this winning team it does not last forever. That’s how System 1 works,” Doornbos says.

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So he understands that Verstappen is looking at more than the Austrian racing team, where he has a contract until 2028. ‘If you as a driver, as a smart driver, with all the titles and your good management, you can use the next time. it will rule..’, says the former driver. ‘That would be Mercedes in my opinion. As a manufacturer, they have more personal gain. The team may have a limited budget, but Daimler can pump millions into whatever models and engines they want. You want to have a factory team. You might think: for Ford it will be good. No, you don’t know that.’

Van der Zande agrees: ‘But do you believe such a sales rate?’

With a seat available at Mercedes next year, team boss Toto Wolff is doing everything he can to bring Verstappen. The Dutchman himself indicated that there is currently no reason for him to leave Red Bull. He wins everything there is to win, and the car is incredibly big. For the third year in a row, Mercedes has a car dragon that gets any marks, especially this year. However, Renger van der Zande also understands that Verstappen is looking beyond 2026. “Hamilton going from McLaren to Mercedes is an example of leaving for the right team at the right time,” says Van der Zande.

“Max has all the time, he can look at all the details of the team,” he continues. ‘Such a turnover from Wolff to Max, believe it or not?’ says Van der Zande. ‘Wolff sits down with it board from Mercedes and they’ll pass on the promise,” Doornbos adds. “But what if it’s ten horsepower less?” Ziggo Sport reporter Jack Plooij suggests a pass. ‘Then Max wants to hear that they’re going to put another hundred million in it to get another twenty horsepower. Horses. They’ve forgotten about 2021. That has to be resolved at some point,’ Plooij adds.Common sense is reasonable in this case. Forget what happened for a while. This is only from a commercial point of view.’

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