Verstappen sees Mercedes as interesting option: 'Applies to all top teams'
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- Cas van de Kleut
It has been talked about a lot this year: Max Verstappen's possible departure from Red Bull Racing. However, despite interest from Mercedes, next season, the Dutchman will continue to drive for the Austrian team as usual. In the interview, Max Verstappen, Simply Lovely on Viaplay, Verstappen did discuss his considerations for the future and the interest from the German team.
Verstappen not planning to leave early
Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028. However, there would be clauses in the four-time world champion's contract that would allow him to leave earlier.
Verstappen only stressed that it does not often happen in Formula 1 that someone leaves before the end of his contract: "That is actually not the intention. But you never know what could happen next year or in two years' time. You can't control that either. So I don't really think about it very much either. Look, I am very happy with where I am. We won another championship. Of course, improvements have to be made to the car. But I think that's very logical. I feel good with the team. I can be myself. Everyone also works full time to always give me the best material, of course, so in that area, I have nothing to complain about, of course."
For the Dutchman, support in difficult times is very important: “I think that was also clear this season. In the middle of the season, we had a hard time and then you can also give up very quickly and look for an exit. But I think it was very important that I was fully engaged in that and tried to look for solutions.”
Verstappen spoke to Wolff about the future
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has made his interest in Verstappen clear this season. The Austrian had to find a replacement for the departing Lewis Hamilton, and due to the internal chaos within Red Bull Racing, he saw opportunities to bring the Dutchman to his team.
Verstappen understands Wolff's interest: "You want to have the fastest drivers in your car. And of course, a lot plays a role in their decision to choose a new driver." The Dutchman then indicated that Mercedes would be interesting for him: "The big teams are always interesting. But on the other hand, I am also with a very big team. I have achieved a lot of success with them. It also just feels like a second family, so those are considerations that you cannot make very quickly to leave. That I wake up and say: 'Yes, next year it will be over'. And I am not someone who shoots from left to right very quickly anyway.”
The relationship between the Verstappen's and Wolff is good. Nothing has changed about that, according to the four-time world champion. He further admitted: "Look, of course we always talk to each other. And I'm not lying about the fact that we've sat together. But that's not a problem in itself. But in the end, I just really like where I'm sitting.”
Verstappen was then asked if his decision to choose Red Bull was because of what Mercedes had to offer. To this, he replied, "No, I think we’ve also had very constructive conversations. I think everyone has always been very honest and open with each other. But on the other hand, I’m also very loyal to my own team. And I just feel at home there. So there’s not really much to gain at the moment."
Finally, Verstappen admitted that he is still young and that a lot can happen in the future. He said that this is not only about Formula 1, but also about other things he wants to do in the future.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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