Verstappen is set to remain with Red Bull, especially if this goal is achieved
· Yahoo Sports
With each passing day, it seems more and more likely that Max Verstappen will ‘simply’ be driving for Red Bull Racing in 2027. GPblog hears in Hungary that if Red Bull manages to achieve the goal stated on Friday, then he won't need to quit the team.
Pierre Waché leaned a little forward on the red couch and said the words Verstappen wants to hear: "Going for wins this year is what we aim for,"said the technical director of Red Bull Racing in response to a question from GPblog. Whether that will happen in Hungary, however, is very uncertain.
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Verstappen finished a messy second free practice in fourth place, but the gap to the leading Ferraris was vast. The Dutchman conceded a full seven tenths to Lewis Hamilton, the fastest man at the Hungaroring. No doubt Red Bull has something in the toolbox to go quicker on Saturday, however, the Scuderia won’t be standing still either.
There’s more in it for Verstappen
All in all, it’s positive for Verstappen that he’s competing at the front rather than (still) circulating in the midfield. After several updates in recent weeks, that’s surely the biggest gain. And anyone listening to Waché knows there’s more to come. In fact, all the tweaks and improvements on the way, in the technical director’s ideal scenario, should lead to a first win of the season.
Verstappen winning in the RB22 - it would be a huge turnaround in such a tough start to the season. It could also be Red Bull’s ultimate argument to the Dutchman in their pursuit of a commitment for next season - if that’s even still necessary. Although Verstappen has yet to state out loud what his exact plans are for next year, it increasingly looks like Red Bull will remain his home.
'Verstappen stays with Red Bull'
Speaking with various teams in Formula 1 - who know full well what’s going on behind the scenes - you hear the same story over and over: Verstappen isn’t going anywhere, despite a flirtation with McLaren. The fact he hasn’t made an announcement is mainly seen as a way to keep pressure on Red Bull.
Or rather, on the technical people within Red Bull. By keeping his future up in the air, he might force the team to push even harder in developing the car.
Verstappen doesn’t need to worry that this won’t happen - at least judging by Waché’s words. Red Bull is genuinely fed up with not having a win on the board yet, so that has to change. Very soon, in fact. Maybe this weekend, or otherwise after the summer break. And that’s the only thing Verstappen wants again: to win!