Max Verstappen has dropped the biggest hint he will remain with Red Bull in F1 in 2025 amid rumors of a move to Mercedes, insisting the team is no longer “afraid” of him leaving.
Verstappen has won the last three world championships to solidify his place alongside the great drivers in F1 history, cementing his dominance in the current F1 era.
Will Max Verstappen stay at Red Bull?
Although his current contract is due to expire at the end of 2028, Verstappen has found himself linked with a move away from Red Bull in recent weeks amid a row involving team principal Christian Horner.
Verstappen's father, Jos, accused the long-time team boss of “playing the victim when he is the one causing the problem” after an investigation into Horner's actions was dismissed, accusing him of playing the victim at the season opener in Bahrain. After the GP, he called on Horner to resign.
Horner insisted in Saudi Arabia a week later that “there is no greater player than the team” amid fears Verstappen will leave Red Bull in 2025 to join Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. did.
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In an interview with Dutch publication AD, Verstappen claimed that the uncertainty about his future had passed its peak and strongly hinted that he was now fully committed to staying at Red Bull, saying he was anxious and worried. He said he would personally reassure members of the Red Bull team who are in the midst of a crisis. Nowhere.
When asked if anyone within Red Bull was concerned about his possible departure, he said: “I don't think anyone is afraid of that at this point.
“Two weeks ago? Hmm, maybe so.
“But some people read a lot, and I don't. And I generally think it's helpful.
“What I like to tell people is, yes, you should not read the whole thing for a while.
“Anyone on the team can call me anytime if they have any questions.”
Verstappen's comments come as speculation grows over the future of Adrian Newey, Red Bull's longtime design guru, who was offered a lucrative contract to Aston Martin during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend earlier this month. reportedly.
Chief mechanic Verstappen, who left Red Bull ahead of next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, stressed the need for the team to keep its most important parts, adding: Possible.
Of course other teams are going after it too, so it's a constant battle and that's normal. It happens with other top teams as well.”
When asked if he personally plays a role in convincing Red Bull employees to stay with the team, he replied:
“Ultimately, you shouldn’t try to keep people who don’t want to be there.
“It has to be a natural relationship.”
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