Max Verstappen has shrugged off hypothesis a couple of potential Red Bull departure, calmly dismissing considerations raised by crew advisor Helmut Marko.
Marko just lately advised Sky Germany he had “great concern” Verstappen may leap ship if Red Bull fails to boost its recreation – a fear sparked by the reigning champion’s underwhelming sixth-place end in Bahrain, the place McLaren’s Oscar Piastri stole the highlight.
But Verstappen isn’t biting.
“I’m just focusing on driving and don’t think about any other scenarios,” he mentioned Thursday, brushing apart the noise as Red Bull works to bounce again.
“I simply hold working, hold making an attempt to enhance the automotive.
“Naturally, Bahrain wasn’t an incredible weekend for us.
“I believe we have been all fairly dissatisfied with that.
“We simply carry on making an attempt to enhance the automotive, provide you with new concepts to attempt on the automotive.
“That’s how I go about my weeks – trying to improve the situation.”
The Dutchman’s identify has beforehand been linked with the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin, particularly now that Red Bull’s former legendary designer Adrian Newey has joined Fernando Alonso’s formidable crew.
But Verstappen wasn’t rising to the bait.
“A lot of people are talking about it – except me,” he mentioned. “Like I mentioned earlier than, I simply wish to concentrate on my automotive, work with the folks within the crew. That’s the one factor that I’m enthusiastic about in Formula One in the intervening time.
“I’m completely happy. I’m not very pleased with my automotive. But all of us wish to be higher – there is no such thing as a secret in that. We all wish to enhance.
“I’m very relaxed.”
Verstappen and Red Bull are hoping for a turnaround at Jeddah’s high-speed avenue circuit, the place he gained in 2022 and once more final 12 months.
“We’re still trying things with the car,” he mentioned.
‘Long road’
“Are there issues that we are able to enhance? We’re continuously making an attempt to enhance the automotive.
“And that’s what we’ll attempt to do once more this weekend.
“How much we can fix it here, I don’t know.”
Alonso, showing alongside Verstappen on the press convention, mentioned the rumors linking the F1 star with Aston Martin have been “very good for the team.”
“This says a lot about the project that we at Aston have and the future that this team has,” Alonso mentioned.
“Would I welcome Max as a teammate? Yes – but it’s unlikely to happen. Very unlikely.”
Verstappen and Red Bull might be relying on upcoming upgrades to their 2025 automotive to shut the hole on McLaren, which has gained three of the primary 4 races to open a wholesome lead within the early crew standings.
Verstappen’s lone shiny spot up to now in 2025 got here in Japan, the place he delivered an excellent qualifying efficiency to take pole and win at Suzuka.
“It was sufficient to be aggressive there. It is a really slim window.
“I simply go race by race. I believe it is going to be higher than Bahrain. The relaxation is out of my fingers.
“At the second, we aren’t the quickest, so it’s powerful to struggle for a championship – however it’s a lengthy street.
“Last year it all looked great, and we know how the season ended up,” he added, referring to Red Bull’s midseason hunch earlier than rallying to clinch his fourth title.
Source: www.dailysabah.com