Max Verstappen reacts to Red Bull’s exit fears

Max Verstappen replied the fears to leave the team, described by the team advisor, Helmut Marko, who shared his concern that the quadruple champion can leave if Red Bull does not improve.

The RB21 of the Milton Keynes -based team has been characterized as a car difficult to drive with a narrow installation window; Although Verstappen has proven that he is able to browse some of the problems, he nevertheless hampered his performance.

The Dutchman won the race in Suzuka, but immediately felt that the car was in bad shape in Bahrain while it was fighting for adhesion in the slower corners. Allied with a difficult race, the manager of Verstappen, Raymond Vermeulen, was seen showing with Marko in the garage.

Marko later told Sky Germany that “the concern is great” that Verstappen can choose to look elsewhere; This rekindled rumors that he tried to jump the ship to Aston Martin to join Adrian Newey.

Asked about the situation and if Marko’s concerns were legitimate, Verstappen chose to play them and said his goal was to overthrow the situation.

“I don’t know (on rumors)-I continue to work, trying to improve the car,” he said.

“Naturally, Bahrain was not a great weekend for us and I think we were all disappointed enough. But we continue to try to improve the car, offer new ideas to try the car. The competition is difficult, but that’s how I do my weeks, trying to improve the situation.”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Mark Thompson – Getty Images

“Honestly, a lot of people talk about it, except me. I just want to focus on my car, working with the people of the team – it’s the only thing I think in Formula 1. I am very relaxed.”

Verstappen denied the idea that the RUS in the team in the past year had contributed to a difficult environment and said that he was happy where he was – and his problems were simply linked to the performance of the car.

Explaining the conversation between Vermeulen and Marko, Verstappen thought it was good for all parties to feel that they can speak openly with the franchise of the current situation inside, which has demonstrated the level he cared for the team.

“I am happy (in Red Bull), I am just not very happy, of course, our car. But it goes for everyone, we all want to be better, there is no secret on this subject. This is what we are trying to improve.

“I think we have had very good conversations in recent weeks on the car. I think we are all very aligned, we are just trying to improve the situation. It doesn’t change anything.

“I don’t think of (rumors), I’m just going to run by race. I hope it will be better than Bahrain, if it can be a bit in the middle of the two (with Suzuka), it will be better.

“It’s out of my hands anyway, if we are not the fastest, it is very difficult to fight for a championship. I hope we can always improve things, but let’s see what we get.

“To my knowledge, I think they had a conversation on everything, which, I think, is authorized. I think we were all frustrated by the result, with the things that went wrong in the race. And I think that is what Raymond and Helmut spoke, and Christian (Horner) even happened and they all had a conversation. I think it should be allowed.

Raymond Vermeulen, director of Max Verstappen, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo of: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

“We care, in the end. We care about the team, we care about people, we care about the results. I think it’s completely normal.”

Speaking at the same press conference, Fernando Alonso spent contempt on rumors that Verstappen was in the context to replace him at Aston Martin – but perhaps noted heavy that she was flattering for the team and underlined her planned trajectory.

“I do not think, because I have a contract for next year. But I see rumors. It is very good for the team. The world champion is sometimes linked to other teams and a possible departure from Red Bull, and the teams they comment on are Mercedes, Aston Martin and Ferrari.

“This shows the project in which we are, the future that this team has. As I have always said, even last year, when I extended the contract, I will lead for as long as I feel quickly and that I feel competitive and that the team needs me while driving.”