Formula 1: Verstappen to the future: “Then I no longer drive”

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has cynically reacted to the never-ending alternating speculation. “There is also the possibility that I won’t wake up tomorrow. Then I will no longer drive,” the Dutch replied at a press conference before the Grand Prix of Belgium when asked whether he could leave Red Bull at the end of the year. “Life is unpredictable, but I am happy about where I am.”

It is still the goal “that I drive here until the end of my career,” added Verstappen in the rainy pad of Spa-Francorchamps. Whether it really happens remains open. The four -time world champion Verstappen still has a valid contract at Red Bull until the end of 2028, but is dissatisfied with the current situation.

It was most recently speculated about moving to Mercedes, but nothing should become of this. The silver arrows will probably continue to rely on the previous regular pilots George Russell (27/Great Britain) and Kimi Antonelli (18/Italy). An agreement on this could be achieved in the coming days before the Grand Prix on Sunday (3 p.m./Sky).

Verstappen sees no fault in the Horner-Aus

For Red Bull, the first race weekend without Christian Horner has been pending for over 20 years. The Briton was stopped at the top of the team, for him the Frenchman Laurent Mekies took over as the new boss. Verstappen said that Horner’s was not decided on his urge. “The owners informed me about it half a day before it was released,” said the 27-year-old. “Such things can happen. I am the driver, others decide that.”

In any case, the fact that Horner is no longer a boss of the racing team has “no influence” on his decision -making decision, said Verstappen. “We had a lot of years,” he said, thanking Horner, with whom he was still in exchange: “The last one and a half years have not been running as hoped – and now the management has decided.”