Verstappen Clarifies His Stance On Potential Red Bull Exit

Wednesday, 15 May 2024 at 18:00

Triple World Champion Max Verstappen discussed his future with Red Bull Racing ahead of the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Although he hasn't said anything about leaving Red Bull since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen keeps being connected to potential exit from the Austrian team.

The 26-year-old previously said he planned to continue with the team from Milton Keynes if the internal conflicts didn't escalate any further. However, Adrian Newey announcing departure from Red Bull ahead of the Miami Grand Prix suggested all isn't well.

Nevertheless, speaking to the media in Miami, the Flying Dutchman said Newey's exit did not change his stance and that his future with the team remained the same.

The triple World Champion recently gave more clarification on the topic as he told Sky Sports F1 yet again that he is happy where he is now.

"Well, at the end of the day, these kinds of decisions are not made very easily and I'm very happy with where I am."

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Red Bull's motorsport advisor and Verstappen's friend, Helmut Marko, said the 26-year-old only wanted to be in the team with the fastest car, and the driver confirmed his words, saying:

"I want to be in the fastest car, that's what I always said with the team. That's what we have at the moment, and that's what we try and have also next year. I don't necessarily have the desire to suddenly build up something new or whatever."

"Because why would you want to leave when you are already in the best position, and you think you can continue that for a long time?"

Red Bull remains the favorite for the rest of this season. However, McLaren had already beaten the team in the last race, so it is clear that other teams are inevitably coming closer and closer.

Nevertheless, as Carlos Sainz said, choosing a team ahead of 2026 is like rolling a dice. Some teams will get the new regulations right, and some will not, but it is impossible to know which.

The most viable option for Verstappen is to stay with his team, try to add two more Championship titles to his collection by the end of 2025, and see how it goes in 2026 before deciding whether or not to leave Red Bull.