F1 News: Max Verstappen Addresses Mercedes Move Rumours And Engineer Exit

Max Verstappen speaks out on Red Bull team exits and rumours of a move to Mercedes.

Author:
Lydia Mee
Mar 31, 2024

Max Verstappen has recently addressed the circulating rumours regarding a potential move to Mercedes and shared his perspective on the evolving situation within the Red Bull Racing team, especially in light of a key engineer's departure.

Key Takeaways:

Verstappen strongly indicates his commitment to Red Bull, dispelling the rumours of a switch to Mercedes.
The racing champion reassures his team, aiming to alleviate any concerns about his future with Red Bull.
The future of Adrian Newey at Red Bull is under speculation, coinciding with the departure of Verstappen's chief mechanic before the Japanese GP.

undefined — Nov 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands (1)

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Max Verstappen, amidst speculation regarding his future in Formula 1, has made clear his stance regarding his position with Red Bull and addressed the rumours linking him to a seat at Mercedes. This comes against the backdrop of Verstappen's remarkable streak in the sport, winning three consecutive World Championships and sparking debate about his place among the all-time greats. Despite his contract with Red Bull not expiring until 2028, whispers of a move had been fuelled by comments from his father, Jos Verstappen, about team principal Christian Horner's leadership amidst internal tensions.

The dynamic within Red Bull has been further complicated by the departure of Verstappen's chief mechanic, Lee Stevenson. In his conversation with the Dutch publication AD (as quoted by PlanetF1), Verstappen provided some clarity on these matters, indicating a turning point in the speculation surrounding his future. He emphasised the reduction in uncertainty and the open communication he maintains within the team:

"At the moment nobody is afraid of that [his exit], I think. Two weeks back, though? Mwah, that may be. But some people also read a lot, I don’t. And I think in general that does help.

“That’s what I do try to tell people, yes, that they better not read it all for a while, certain things. And if there are any questions, anyone in the team can always call me.

“Of course, it’s always about being able to keep the right people for as long as possible. That’s a constant battle because of course other teams want to pull that, which is normal. That happens with the other top teams as well.”

Verstappen also discussed the importance of maintaining a solid team, recognising the inevitable challenges that come with other teams seeking to attract Red Bull's talent. His pragmatic view on team dynamics and the natural progression of careers within the competitive environment of Formula 1 reflects a mature approach to team cohesion and personal ambition:

“That should come very naturally. Ultimately, you shouldn’t try to retain someone if they don’t want to be there. That has to be a natural relationship.”