Lewis Hamilton would recommend Mercedes switch to Max Verstappen
Rumours persist that Verstappen could be tempted to leave Red Bull at the end of this year, with Mercedes thought to be a strong option as his current car continues to present struggles for the four-time world champion.
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Hamilton, Verstappen's long-term rival, left Mercedes for Ferrari ahead of the 2025 campaign having won six of his own seven drivers titles driving for the German manufacturer.
However, asked if he would promote Mercedes to Verstappen, Hamilton was unequivocal, while also admitting guilt to having previously labelled Red Bull as 'just a drinks company.'
Asked if he would recommend his former team, Hamilton said: 'Of course. I mean, he's coming from a great team. Many, many years ago, I was being asked something about, I can't remember.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, 1st position, kisses the winners trophy
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, 1st position, kisses the winners trophy
'I think I was just so diehard Mercedes at the time, and I remember saying something about Red Bull being only a drinks company.
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'And I always regretted it, because I was just saying that Mercedes at the time was just great. I was really just trying to G up my team, but the truth is, Red Bull have been an incredible team.
'There's so many people there that are exceptional, and they've dominated for years. But what I can say, if anyone was going to ask me about Mercedes, it's an amazing team also.
'With, naturally, the passion, they've got great personnel, it's a great factory, great environment to work in. So, of course I would say, be interested to see what happens.'
Verstappen has been a long-term target for Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who admitted on more than one occasion that talks have occurred with the Red Bull driver.
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Asked at the British Grand Prix media day why his camp was in discussions with Mercedes, Verstappen replied: 'Who says that?,' and, having been told it was Wolff, he said: 'I have nothing to add.'
Photos from British GP - Thursday
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing
Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Jerome d'Ambrosio, Scuderia Ferrari Deputy Team Principal
Jerome d'Ambrosio, Scuderia Ferrari Deputy Team Principal
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Alex Albon, Williams
Alex Albon, Williams
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Team
Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Team
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing
Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Jerome d'Ambrosio, Scuderia Ferrari Deputy Team Principal
Jerome d'Ambrosio, Scuderia Ferrari Deputy Team Principal
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Colin McMaster / LAT Images via Getty Images
Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari
Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari
Colin McMaster / LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
The Chelsea Pensioners
The Chelsea Pensioners
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Paul Aron, Sauber
Paul Aron, Sauber
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Paul Aron, Sauber
Paul Aron, Sauber
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Paul Aron, Sauber
Paul Aron, Sauber
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images
Read Also:
Where George Russell stands amid talk of Max Verstappen's shock Mercedes move
What is at stake in the Max Verstappen and Mercedes F1 situation
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