Palmer: Max will be looking for a way to move to Mercedes.

      Jolyon Palmer, a former Formula 1 driver now working as an expert with the official championship website, has no doubt that Max Verstappen and Mercedes will resume negotiations about a possible collaboration. Last year, the parties already discussed their positions on this issue when Red Bull Racing's results were worse than the four-time world champion expected, and rumors were actively circulating that Verstappen might part ways with the Milton Keynes team. However, this was not confirmed at the time, but given the difference in form between Red Bull and Mercedes at the start of the new season, Palmer does not rule out that Max may have a desire to move to the team leading in both championship standings. "Such negotiations will begin because Red Bull will not win the title this year," predicted Jolyon while participating in the F1 Nation podcast. "And Max is not racing in Formula 1 to show the 8th fastest time in qualifying – he is not satisfied even with the opportunity to fight for podiums. He will look for a way to move to Mercedes, as they have the best car. This team will be a contender for the championship win for at least the next couple of years. But the threat from other teams will only increase, and the advantage that Mercedes had at the beginning of the year will start to diminish, so anyone in Toto Wolff's position would consider the possibility of inviting Max. If Verstappen offers his services, it cannot be ignored, and last year we saw that the parties were already in negotiations, which caused some tension. I remember at a press conference in Austria, George Russell said something like: 'Listen, why is everyone discussing whether he can replace me? I'm always ahead of Kimi...' In general, it is quite reasonable to assume that while Mercedes drivers are fighting for the title, such negotiations may be happening behind the scenes."