APRIL 30, 2024

Verstappen's father admits F1 team switch possible

Max Verstappen's father is keeping his cards close to his chest amid rumours Adrian Newey is likely to leave Red Bull and join a top F1 rival.

The widely-circulating rumours tie in with speculation that triple world champion Verstappen, 26, might also flee Red Bull - with a key meeting with top Mercedes figures reportedly due to take place after the Miami GP.

I think everyone wants Max, Jos Verstappen, whilst competing in the Rallye de Wallonie, told racexpress.nl. He has a fast car, but we also have to look further ahead.

Indeed, it is suggested the current internal team unrest - involving the Christian Horner scandal - is the perfect opportunity for the Dutch driver to consider his options amid concerns about Red Bull's new engine program for 2026.

He is technically under contract to Red Bull through 2028, but key exit clauses have been revealed.

We are also looking at 2026, so we are letting everything happen a bit, Jos, himself a former F1 driver, added. We will remain very calm and see what will happen.

And so, for now at least, Verstappen senior is reserved when addressing the Newey exit rumours.

Normally I wouldn't say anything about it, Jos said. "What else can I say about it? I don't know anything else about it.

I know that there is basically a deal between him and Red Bull, he added, amid reports Newey has a contract to the end of next year. We'll see about the rest. I can't say anything about that.

On Newey specifically, Jos added: We all know what he has achieved and how good he is.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, meanwhile, says he is waiting to see how the situation at Red Bull unfolds, having made clear he is keen to replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton with Verstappen from 2025.

I think a few factors play a role, but he's the one who is going to trigger some more dominos to fall, Wolff said, referring to Max. Everybody is waiting for what he's going to do.

(GMM)