Max Verstappen’s Future Speculations
Recent months have seen rampant speculation about Max Verstappen’s potential moves, including a switch from Red Bull to Mercedes or even leaving Formula 1 entirely. Some rumors seem far-fetched, yet his evident disengagement at race weekends raised concerns. This discontent may have started last year when the RB20’s performance declined after the Miami GP, leading Verstappen to distract himself with sim racing—an activity that impacted his actual racing performance. After the Hungarian GP, reports varied on whether he was banned from sim racing or voluntarily stopped due to media frenzy.
In parallel, Verstappen has invested considerable effort into his GT racing team, even testing a GT3 Ferrari this summer under the alias Franz Hermann. However, his focus shifted back to Formula 1 during the recent double-header, where he raced in front of his home crowd at the Dutch GP, benefitting from an upgraded RB21 featuring a new floor and front wing. Both he and the team are optimistic that these enhancements will prove beneficial beyond just Monza.
“I’m very optimistic about fast circuits like Baku and hopeful for Singapore, the only race we haven’t conquered yet,” said Red Bull’s driver advisor, Helmut Marko. He noted that Verstappen is more motivated than he has been in a long time, even setting aside GT racing discussions.
Despite Marko’s comments, it has been revealed that Verstappen plans to participate in two VLN races this month, one at the Nurburgring and another two weeks later, between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix. Red Bull recognized the necessity of making a mark at the Italian Grand Prix, especially after a disappointing performance last season where he finished sixth, famously declaring, “In 2023 we still had the most dominant car, but we have turned it into a monster.”
At Monza, Red Bull not only introduced an upgrade package but also ensured Verstappen had a say in the downforce setup, ultimately opting for less aggressive wing levels. His triumph over the McLarens by nearly 20 seconds showcased the effectiveness of these changes. “The driver’s input was acknowledged,” stated Marko, emphasizing the team’s newfound willingness to consider driver feedback over strict simulation data.
The focus of development has shifted towards improving driveability and predictability rather than merely enhancing performance, making the car more manageable. Marko noted that new team principal Laurent Mekies, with his race-engineering background, promotes a more collaborative approach that values driver experience.
Currently, Verstappen appears to be rekindling his enthusiasm for Formula 1. However, the possibility of his involvement in other racing series remains. The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, often seen as a mouthpiece for the Verstappen family, has reported his interest in acquiring a MotoGP team, despite a response from his camp confirming that any takeover is unrealistic at this time. Furthermore, his manager Raymond Vermeulen reiterated Verstappen’s dedication to the GT3 racing scene, suggesting future engagements outside Formula 1 may not be imminent.
