Max Verstappen told to ignore Mercedes: ‘Ferrari a more comfortable fit’

Max Verstappen has been told that Ferrari would be "a more comfortable fit" than Mercedes should he opt for a change of team in the future.

The career path of the four-time F1 champion is unclear at the moment following a difficult start to the current season in the wake of the introduction of heavily modified regulations and the split in power between combustion and electrical energy.

Verstappen has repeatedly voiced his criticism of the new cars since pre-season. Even after changes to the rules were introduced for the most recent weekend in Miami, the Red Bull driver was still left far from impressed.

The 28-year-old is currently weighing up his options for the future, and could potentially leave F1 at the end of the year. A move to another team is also not beyond the realms of possibility.

Verstappen has previously been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes, underlined by his connection to the manufacturer, given that he is driving a Mercedes in the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours attempt.

Former F1 driver David Coulthard, however, believes another team would work best for Verstappen. 

"I think that Max fits better in the Ferrari world than the Mercedes world," said Coulthard, speaking on the Up To Speed podcast.

"I know that they have this good relationship, and I know that he's racing a Mercedes in the GT3 events that he does.

"But the freedom to be Max, I think he would be a more comfortable fit at Ferrari because you would just turn up, drive quickly, presumably win the races and then head home."

'He will not give an inch'

Coulthard was at least happy to see Verstappen return to a degree of form following a turbulent start to the year in the opening three races.

With a raft of upgrades on the RB22, Verstappen qualified for the grand prix on the front row alongside eventual race winner Kimi Antonelli in his Mercedes.

Despite an incident in the opening corners with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc that pitched him down the field following a dramatic 360-degree spin, Verstappen fought tooth and nail throughout, eventually finishing fifth.

"We talked about it, that the upgrades were coming," said Coulthard. "There were promises from McLaren, promises from Red Bull, and there were promises from Mercedes. They all delivered on their promise.

"It does feel that, although Mercedes has come away with the grand prix victory, that gap has definitely closed.

"And Max, in typical fighting style, even when it was inevitable, when Charles got past him, and then George as well, [because] they were running faster, they were on your fresher tyres, he would not give an inch. And it's great to see him not give an inch."