Jul.23 (GMM) Pressure is reportedly increasing on Max Verstappen to clarify his future before the contractual deadline for activating his Red Bull exit clause.
Although Verstappen may not need to make a formal decision until October, former Formula 1 driver Robert Doornbos says Red Bull understandably wants an earlier answer as it plans its 2027 driver lineup.
“I understand that from Austria the pressure on Max and his management is increasing to make a decision,” he said on the Pit Talk podcast.
“That’s fair, too, because you can’t leave the team completely in the dark until the last part of the season.”
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies has now admitted the uncertainty is also prompting other drivers to enquire about Verstappen’s seat.
“Look, it is working in both directions,” he told Sky. “It is completely natural that Max gets a call from everyone, because he is the best driver in the world.”
“And equally, if you are a top team, you are going to get calls from many of these good drivers around as well. So that’s natural.”
“Is it a distraction for us? Not really.”
The speculation intensified at Spa when Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen and father Jos were seen visiting McLaren’s hospitality area.
“I’ve seen footage that the manager and Jos Verstappen were also in catering with McLaren on the weekend,” Ralf Schumacher confirmed.
“That is not a coincidence, of course. Surely something is taking place there.”
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane says Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are both being prepared for a potential promotion. “Well, I think that’s the goal of both our guys, for sure,” he said.
“And the goal of mine and our team is to develop drivers for that team.”
“I think going into specifics is far more a question for Laurent, but I think we need to put them both in a position where they’re ready to do that.”
“If and when Laurent needs another driver, he’s got one or two to choose from.”
Promoting either Lawson or Lindblad would also create an opening at Racing Bulls for Formula 2 championship leader Nikola Tsolov. “He’s doing incredibly well,” Permane said.
“To say he’s on the radar would be a little bit of an understatement. He’s next in line, I think it’s fair to say.”
“When that’ll be, I don’t know, honestly. It’s definitely not untrue to say we’re thinking about it at the moment.”
Dutch racing legend Tom Coronel, however, remains convinced Verstappen will reject his alternatives and stay with Red Bull.
“He stays,” he predicted on Dutch television talk show De Oranjezomer. “100 percent.
“That team is made for him.”
Coronel believes Verstappen’s current frustration does not mean he needs a completely different environment.
“As you see him now, that drive he has, that fierceness, that’s exactly what I love about Max.”
He believes the summer break alone could provide the reset Verstappen needs. “Give him six weeks of vacation, or now four weeks.”
“Now we have Hungary. Then he has nothing for four weeks. Then he comes back with full spirit.”
“And then it’ll be ok.”
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