Max Verstappen je završio spekulacije o svojoj budućnosti potpisivanjem produženog ugovora sa Red Bull-om do 2030. godine; šef Mercedesa Toto Wolff je prethodno pokazivao interes da potpiše sa Holanđaninom; gledajte Italijansku Grand Prix na Monzi uživo na Super Sport F1 od 4. do 6. septembra
Šef Mercedesa Toto Wolff kaže da nije uopšte razočaran time što je Max Verstappen ostao veran Red Bullu uz novi ugovor koji važi do 2030. godine.
Pre nego što se sezona Formule 1 ponovo održi uz Verstappenovu domaću Holandsku Veliku nagradu tokom ovog vikenda, Red Bull je razbio spekulacije o budućnosti četvorostrukog svetskog šampiona objavivši produženje ugovora.
Dok je Versteppenov prethodni ugovor trebalo da važi do 2028. godine, izlazne klauzule u dogovoru značile su da bi 28-godišnjak mogao da pređe u drugi tim već 2027. godine, a mogućnosti prelaska u Mercedes ili McLaren bile su predmet značajnih spekulacija.
Wolff je napravio veoma javnu poternicu za Verstappenom nakon što je Luj Hamilton saopštio u februaru 2024. da napušta Mercedes i pridružuje se Ferrari-u 2025, a šef Mercedesa se činilo da još uvek želi da potpiše Holanđanina i prošle sezone.
Međutim, Wolff je u poslednjim mesecima insistirao da je zadovoljan kombinacijom vozača Kimi Antonelli i Džordž Rassel, koji su prvi i drugi na čelu tabele vozača posle nedeljne trke u Zandvoortu.
Na pitanje o Verstappenovom novom ugovoru u intervjuu za Super Sport F1 u subotu u Zandvoortu, Wolff je rekao: „Najvažnije je bilo da smo dugo vremena imali jasnost unutar tima.“
„Mi smo posvećeni Džordžu i Kimi-ju, a na neki način to je bila logična posledica onoga što se desilo sada.“
„Silly season is officially cancelled now, and everybody can concentrate on the racing.“
Pushed on whether he felt any disappointment about the length of Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull, Wolff added: „No, not at all.
„We know each other well. With Kimi and George, it’s the perfect set-up we have and the perfect line-up, so there is no disappointment.“
Rosberg: I don’t think Max had any options
The cooling of Wolff’s interest in Verstappen appears as though it may have been influenced by the hugely impressive form that has put Antonelli in control of the championship.
The Italian, who turned 20 on Tuesday, has unexpectedly outperformed the far more experienced Russell to build a 59-point advantage over his team-mate at the top of the standings.
While Mercedes showed huge faith in Antonelli by fast-tracking him in as Hamilton’s replacement as a teenager, an inconsistent rookie campaign left doubt over whether he would be able to live up to expectations.
However, his 2026 form, which saw him break countless records by winning five successive races after finishing second in the season opener, could potentially have made Wolff reconsider whether bringing Verstappen to Mercedes remained necessary.
McLaren appeared to be similarly content with their current driver line-up of reigning world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who have combined to lead the Woking squad to successive constructors’ titles.
Super Sport F1 pundit Nico Rosberg, who won the 2016 world championship with Mercedes, said: „It’s fantastic news for Formula 1 because Max Verstappen is the greatest driver at the moment, and we want him to stay here. He’s a phenomenal driver!
„He was thinking about taking some time off, or stopping F1 for a while, so that’s great.
„I don’t think he had any options. He was in talks with McLaren, but I think that was just to strengthen his position at Red Bull.
„Red Bull need stability so you offer him a bit more money, and the range is from £70-90m a year, so let’s land on £80m – which is a lot of money!“
