Verstappen speaks out on future post-Newey exit

Max Verstappen recently discussed his future with Red Bull amid significant changes within the team, including the departure of renowned car designer Adrian Newey at the end of the season. Verstappen, whose contract with Red Bull extends until 2028, has been reconsidering his stay following misconduct allegations against team principal Christian Horner.

Speaking at the Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen emphasized that financial incentives were not his priority. “At the end of the day, it’s not about money for me. I’m already very happy of course with what I’m having at the team,” he stated.

Although Verstappen expressed his preference for Newey to remain with the team, he minimized the impact of Newey’s exit on their performance. “Adrian from when he started at Red Bull was incredibly important for the success that they had, over time his role has changed a bit and a lot of people don’t understand what he was actually doing,” Verstappen explained, noting that while Newey’s role evolved, the technical team remained strong and competitive.

Despite external perceptions, Verstappen assured that the internal dynamics of the team were stable and not as tumultuous as they might appear from the outside.

The potential departure of Red Bull Motorsport director Helmut Marko is also on the horizon, which Verstappen acknowledged could influence his decisions about his future with the team. He has previously indicated that Marko’s exit could lead him to consider other options.

Amidst these developments, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has expressed interest in signing Verstappen, especially as current Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is set to move to Ferrari in the upcoming seasons. This transition has prompted Wolff to search for suitable replacements.