Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer has warned Mercedes that signing Max Verstappen to partner Kimi Antonelli would be a "recipe for disaster".
The Dutchman's future at Red Bull remains uncertain, with him yet to commit to the Milton Keynes-based outfit for 2027.
Verstappen's frustration reached a new level at Silverstone after a second rear wing failure cost him a likely podium.
His difficulties at Red Bull have intensified rumours linking him with McLaren, despite Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both having multi-year contracts.
The only realistic way Verstappen could move to McLaren would be if Piastri left to replace him at Red Bull, although the Australian's camp has stressed that an exit is not happening.
Even speculation over a move to Mercedes has died down after George Russell insisted he would be staying with the Silver Arrows next season.
However, in Palmer's view, even if the Silver Arrows were to part ways with Russell, Verstappen would not be the right option to partner Antonelli.
Discussing the driver market, Palmer told the F1 Nation podcast: "It's only if Max goes to either McLaren or Mercedes that there's a great vacancy at Red Bull, and that would then become an option.
"The only thing I see with Mercedes is this: if George were to leave and decide he wants to start afresh somewhere else, which is a big if, does Toto Wolff want to partner his great talent, Kimi Antonelli, with Max Verstappen?
"That feels like a recipe for disaster now. Kimi, I think, has proven he's a number one driver. He's not about to come in and play second fiddle.
"So I think Kimi has almost raised his level to the point where, if George goes, Max is no longer the ideal replacement."
Originally published by RacingNews365 —
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