Red Bull insists there is no risk it could lose Max Verstappen to a rival team like Ferrari before his contract runs out. Former F1 driver Martin Brundle this week said he can sense the 19-year-old's "frustration" this year, as Red Bull struggles to match Ferrari and Mercedes.
So there are rumours Verstappen could be poached by Ferrari, whose contracts with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen run out late this year. Although Dutchman Verstappen is under contract for 2018, one rumour is that his deal contains a clause that might let him leave Red Bull for performance reasons.
But Red Bull driver manager Dr Helmut Marko told Germany's Auto Bild: "Contrary to all rumours, there is no performance clause in Verstappen's contract. If we do not release him, he cannot switch to Ferrari." (GMM)
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Replies (8)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I suspected as much.
JoeGreen84
Posts: 30
For gods sakes. how about a driver struggles for the title for once rather than just being given a seat at one of the best teams. Must suck to be one of the other great drivers on the grid like Nico hulkenburg who are long serving with teams who are not right at the sharp end then max jumps in, gets vaulted up to red bull mid season then even before his contract is up is looking at a Red car drive.
kajin
Posts: 193
Don't forget how rbr was against kyvat...this world is very hard ....a lot of money is playing also a part of the game.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I'd love to see Hulkenberg in a Ferrari.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Best drivers will go to the best cars. I would see it as a complement towards VES and maybe putting a bit a pressure on RBR. RBR itself doesn't shy a away from putting pressure on people (think of RENAULT 14-15) nothing out of the scope of normality of F1.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
@CALLE.ITW
Or perez
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Hm, yes, I think he could be a good fit there aswell, and its more likely than Hulkenberg, seeing as Hulk is, officially at least, comitted to Renault.
Patentprutser
Posts: 392
Serve your contract and then chose the best option!