The three-time Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen has dropped a major hint regarding his future at the Red Bull.
Verstappen has been in the news for the past few months regarding a switch to rival Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari next year has left Mercedes with a huge decision as they have to find a replacement for the seven-time World Champion.
Reports suggested that Mercedes are interested in the reigning World Champion Max Verstappen to fill Hamilton’s boots. Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff had made his intentions clear at the start of the season stating “No team principal wouldn’t do handstands“. He also said that Mercedes’ are keeping a close look at how the driver market develops.
“I think we want to take our time, see where Max’s thinking goes, and at the same time, monitor the other drivers,” Wolff said.
However, after the recent contract extension of Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, the Dutchman has hinted that he would stay at Redbull despite Mercedes’s interest.
“It is great news that Checo has signed with the team until 2026 and I am glad to be able to continue with the successful partnership that we have created over the past few years“. Verstappen said. “We achieved a record-breaking season last year and the team is very strong so we are looking forward to building on this success into the next two years as well”.
Perez signed a new deal with Milton-Keans outfit for two years which would keep him at the team until 2026.
How Perez Helped Verstappen in 2021
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have enjoyed a good relationship with each other over the years at Red Bull. Perez famously helped Verstappen on the final day of the 2021 season in Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi when the Mexican did not allow Lewis Hamilton to get past him and made him lose time which proved to be pivotal in Verstappen winning his first F1 World Championship.
However, Verstappen didn’t pay Perez back the following year in Sao Paulo Brazil when the the Dutchman had already wrapped up the Driver’s Championship. Perez still needed points to guarantee second position in the Championship and wasn’t helped by his teammate as he did not allow him to go past him and hunt down Charles Leclerc. Perez eventually finished third in the Championship behind the Monegasque.
Read more: Sergio Perez’s contract in detail here
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
