Verstappen: Performance, not money will steer F1 future
Red Bull Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen says "money won't be a differentiator" for his future plans amid persistent advances by Mercedes.
Despite a contract that runs until 2028 and a dominant car in the RB20, Verstappen's future at Red Bull was called into question in the wake of the team's power struggles that had been simmering under the surface for a while and boiled over this year.
Verstappen previously said it was key to his Red Bull future that all key pillars of the team remained in place, but one of its most crucial members is now leaving Milton Keynes, with ace designer Adrian Newey announcing he will depart from the F1 team.
It raised fresh questions over Verstappen's plans, who played down the significance of Newey leaving by saying his departure is "not as dramatic as it seems" to the outside world.
But amid wild suggestions of a 150m euro per year offer made by Mercedes for the Dutchman's services, Verstappen said performance would be a much more important factor for his future than finances.
When asked if there was any truth to the 150m rumours, he replied: "No. But at the end of the day, even if let's say that would be the case, 150 million....money is not going to be the differentiator for me to go somewhere.
"I'm happy with what I'm earning already, it's about performance."
Verstappen is the odds-on favourite to secure a fourth straight title in 2024 and if he were to trade Red Bull for Mercedes, which has struggled for performance this season, he would likely be walking away from a potential title in 2025.
"I know myself that if I will be driving for P5 or P6, you get quite grumpy with yourself," he explained.
"So, it's always about performance at the end of the day. I mean, everyone knows that, Toto [Wolff] also knows that.
"My future is within Red Bull at the moment."
Asked if he felt it was odd that Wolff kept publicly courting him as Lewis Hamilton's potential replacement, he replied: "No, because I think everyone should always be optimistic and hopeful in things.
"But at the moment, I can say that I want to stay with the team because I believe in the project that we have with everyone involved.
"But at the end of the day, in sports but also in life, you don't know what's going to happen in the future."
Share Or Save This Story
The paradox of change as F1 2027 decision nears
"The most fun I've had all year" - Max Verstappen's F1 colleagues envy his Nurburgring bid
"It's only going to get better" - How Audi is responding to rocky start to F1 2026
How Max Verstappen pulls the strings for his GT3 team even on F1 weekends
Max Verstappen on why night racing will “probably be the best" aspect of Nurburgring 24 Hours
Are we at a turning point for Verstappen – and F1?
“We’re getting there, we’re not the same yet” – Red Bull still playing catch-up with F1 rivals
Max Verstappen’s ‘sarcastic’ Jimmy Fallon comeback leaves F1 fans in stitches
The intrigue sparked by Red Bull's Miami sidepod design
Five times F1 drivers starred at the Nurburgring
Why BMW may have an advantage at the Nurburgring 24 due to cancelled races
James Vowles sets timeline for consistent Williams F1 points
Alberto Puig to step down as HRC team manager in 2027, take on advisory role
Five times F1 drivers starred at the Nurburgring
The paradox of change as F1 2027 decision nears
Top 10 F1 drivers of the 1950s
How F1's planned 60-40 power split for 2027 will affect each manufacturer
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments