Williams team principal James Vowles has expressed his belief that Max Verstappen would not be a suitable addition to Mercedes' driver lineup. Vowles, who joined Williams from Mercedes in 2023 after a long tenure as an engineer, noted that Toto Wolff should maintain the current drivers. Wolff had shown interest in signing Verstappen last year but eventually confirmed George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli for 2025. Red Bull's early-season struggles have sparked rumors of Verstappen's potential departure, but Vowles cautioned Mercedes. He also mentioned that a combination of Russell and Verstappen might not be harmonious due to their past exchanges. Vowles praised the progress of Antonelli and the performance of Russell.