Max Verstappen gives Red Bull a big boost by suggesting he won’t try to seek out the fastest car on the grid, amid a dilemma surrounding his contract as Mercedes remain interested in landing the star.
A very challenging start to the 2025 Formula 1 campaign means the Dutchman is effectively out of championship contention after 11 rounds, trailing Oscar Piastri by 61 points whilst the Australian enjoys an impressive McLaren package.
Although he has still managed to claim two wins, they fall well below the standards set in recent seasons as he racked up four world titles and claimed 52 wins, asserting his dominance over the other 19 drivers on the grid.
Such poor form, caused by an RB21 car that struggles for consistency, balance and overall speed, has sparked fears within Milton Keynes that he could take his talents to Aston Martin, or even Toto Wolff’s Mercedes team.
However, ahead of the 2025 British Grand Prix, Verstappen gives Red Bull a big boost amid this contract dilemma Christian Horner faces by suggesting he won’t necessarily go chasing the fastest car on the gird – and that the grass isn’t always greener.
“That is anyway difficult in F1 to always try to be in the fastest car,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1. “Because then you have to look into the future.
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“Who would have known that two years ago this would be the case now? That is also something that I don’t really spend a lot of focus on. I think the only focus that I have at the moment is just trying to improve the situation.
“We are not where we want to be, I think that’s quite clear, but at the same time, next year a lot can change again. So even if you try to chase the fastest car now, it might not be the fastest car next year.
“That’s exactly what F1 is about. Sometimes you luck in, you win three-four-five-six-seven-eight titles, who knows? That’s also part of the game.”
Verstappen: Finishing career at Red Bull would be ‘amazing’
Although he has occasionally hinted at departing Red Bull or even retiring from the sport, Verstappen has generally been consistent on the idea of ending his team with the team that gave him his big break in 2015.
This is something he reaffirmed in 2024 when Wolff explored the idea of him partnering George Russell as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement, as the 27-year-old eventually stayed put and delivered another drivers’ title.
Once again, ahead of the weekend at Silverstone from July 4-6, the defending champion stresses ending his career at Red Bull is the ‘ideal’ way to sign off from the sport, when he eventually opts to hang up his racing boots for good.
“I’m going to say no,” Verstappen added to Sky Sports F1, of his future with the team. “Because if I say yes, people will make up headlines again, and that’s not what I want.
“I always said to the team it would be ideal, and I think they think the same way, to finish off my career in F1 with one team. I think that would be something amazing, and that’s what we are still trying to achieve.”
