Tbh Max seems a bit bored. I think he craves a challenge and Mercedes might just be that challenge. Iirc he did even hint at leaving F1 altogether a year or two ago.
and that's why he keeps on driving the GT cars on iRacing whenever he can. unfortunately they're so much fun than any hybrid-era F1 race to drive, even worse if you're in the lead in no man's land for 99% of the time. smart drivers don't want to win, they want to win a challenge.
At what point do we start not believing half the shit that the media put out about the team? I'm not saying Red Bull are honest, but things are starting to seem a tad far-fetched.
