2
Speculation about his F1 future is swirling around teen sensation Max Verstappen.
The latest rumours have been triggered by the Red Bull engine crisis, as the energy drink company is forced to consider pulling both of its F1 teams out of the sport.
So as the possibility rises that rival teams will have to enter third cars next year to plug the hole on the grid, Mercedes' Toto Wolff has already been spotted in conversation with Verstappen's father Jos.
Wolff wrote off the meeting as mere "coffee" with the former F1 driver, but when asked why Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen was also there, the Austrian told F1's official website: "No, not sure!"
And the rumours about Toro Rosso's Verstappen do not stop there.
The Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad said the 18-year-old's manager Vermeulen is "playing chess on multiple boards" amid the current Red Bull crisis.
So if the third-car option does materialise for 2016, "Verstappen would be more than welcomed by Ferrari" as well, the AD report claimed.
Max was quoted as saying this week: "At this moment there is no clarity" about Red Bull's future.
"I am confident that they will be on the grid next year, but I have no influence on that."
Told that many regard him as an almost certain world champion of the future, Verstappen added: "It's always good to hear, because it means you must be doing something right.
"But for me at the moment it is just important to learn a lot and gain experience.
"I can only do my best on the track. If in the future I am in a better car, I do hope to go for wins and the world championship," he admitted.
When asked if he has a clear plan for his next steps in F1 already, Verstappen answered: "In F1 it doesn't work like that. You can't really plan.
"The important thing is to work on being not only fast but also consistent. Next, you have to be lucky to be driving for the right team at the right time."
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
755,635 comments on Red Bull Racing
968 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
613,589 comments on Mercedes 57 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Funny how many it is that is linked with Ferrari seats, and how many different seats Verstappen currently is linked to. According to media, at least. ;) In any case, both Mercedes and Ferrari have their own favourites, and even if Max has done a good job this year, I cannot imagine they'd prefer him over drivers they've already established a relation with. It could very well change in a few years, though
Dr Red Bull
Posts: 41
I think every young prospect gets linked with Ferrari lol