Max Verstappen: Thoughts on his future / Formula 1

The controversy surrounding Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner at the start of the GP season, harsh criticism from Max Verstappen’s father Jos and Max Verstappen’s open words in favor of Red Bull motorsport consultant Dr. Helmut Marko fueled the rumours: Max Verstappen could leave RBR before his contract expires at the end of 2028 and throw himself into the hands of Mercedes.

The 26-year-old Dutchman already commented on such rumors in Jeddah: “There are good reasons why I decided to sign a long-term agreement with Red Bull Racing. I know very well what this team has done for my career. So my intention is stay. I’m happy here. There’s no reason for me to leave this racing team.”

But in life things are often different than expected. The Dutchman opened the back door: “No one would have expected, for example, that Lewis Hamilton would have moved to Ferrari. Ultimately, you never know what will happen or what will happen to you or what happens around you and whether that will affect you. You can never say 100 percent how everything as it will be.”

“As far as the whole dispute goes – I want to focus on driving. And if there’s something we need to clarify, we always try to resolve it internally.”

In Shanghai, the 57-time GP winner explained: “I said from the beginning that I wanted a calm and peaceful environment. Recently we have been talking about the car again, it makes me happy, and that’s how it should be. As long as I’m happy here, there’s no reason for me to leave.”

1. Studies, China

01. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:36,302 min
02. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:36.629
03. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:36,660
04. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:36.690
05. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:37.101
06. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:37.118
07. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:37,213
08. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:37,229
09. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, 1:37.238
10. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 1:37.530
11. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 1:37,626
12. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:38,006
13. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:38,090
14. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:38.284
15. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:38,286
16. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:38.630
17. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:38,806
18. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:38,839
19. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:38.936
20. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:39,276