Max Verstappen has a theory behind Lewis Hamilton being 'banned' from Mercedes meetings before his move to Ferrari in 2025.
Hamilton has announced he'll leave Mercedes after 12 years at the end of the upcoming season.
The announcement sent shockwaves across the Formula One landscape, although Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Hamilton insist it's business as usual.
Mercedes are hoping Hamilton, alongside George Russell, will be able to close the gap on Red Bull after Verstappen walked the 2023 World Championship.
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Verstappen believes there could be tensions in the Mercedes garage following Hamilton's announcement.
The 26-year-old says his rival may end up finding himself omitted from certain events.
He told reporters per The Sun: "For the rest of the year, I would say it’s a little bit awkward.
"It’s not like they are suddenly enemies. He has achieved so many great things with them.
"They are still behind him, and for sure he has a great relationship with everyone, especially Toto.
"But he knows at one point, and Toto for sure will tell him: ‘Look, I know we’ve had all this success, but you can’t be part of certain meetings any more’.
"That is normal in F1. It’s probably a bit weird. But you are professional enough to deal with that. And once he’s sitting in the car, they will of course go flat out for him."
Drivers rarely announce switching sides so far in advance, given the uncertainty it can create.
Hamilton's case is a special exception, given the break clause in his existing Mercedes contract.
Verstappen believes the news was confirmed so far in advance to stop it leaking during the business end of the season.
He added: "It must have been leaked to announce something that big that early in the season.
“Him going to Ferrari is not really shocking. It’s not a surprise they were talking.
"I just think the announcement was a bit rushed.”
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Mercedes, Ferrari
Daniel Marland