Verstappen Remains Loyal to Red Bull Amidst Mercedes Rumors
Red Bull is certain that three-time world champion Max Verstappen will remain with the organization, despite rumours that he might be thinking about joining rival Mercedes.
Verstappen's contract with Red Bull expires in 2028, but he is "very happy" with the company. This week, the Dutchman said as much. However, team principal Christian Horner spoke with Verstappen's manager after a contentious public altercation with his father, Jos, at the Bahrain Grand Prix to start the season.
Horner has been making headlines lately, but not for the right reasons. He was found not guilty following an inquiry into the misbehavior claims. According to Verstappen's father, Jos, "the team is in danger of being torn apart." This was said this week.
According to reports, the elder Verstappen was seen speaking with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, which fuelled rumours that Max might become a target when Lewis Hamilton leaves for Ferrari in the next season.
Horner downplayed the possibility at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Thursday, stating that he was "certain" Verstappen would be with Red Bull for the balance of at least his current deal.
"He is surrounded by an incredible crew. He has a lot of faith in that group. And collectively, we've accomplished a great deal," added Horner. "So he's committed to an agreement until 2028."
After the Bahrain race, Horner claimed to have spoken with Jos, and they had decided to move on.
In Thursday's second practice under the floodlights for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen established the afternoon lap record at the circuit, followed by Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin.
After setting a record time of one minute, 28.827 seconds, Verstappen finished third, 0.331 seconds behind Alonso. George Russell, driving for Mercedes, placed second.
The second session was briefly cancelled due to unsecured drain covers, which were purportedly the cause of testing issues in Bahrain last month and Las Vegas in November. This time, the problem was resolved without delay.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, on the right, set the pace during practice at the Saudi
Hamilton's Mercedes team was fined approximately £13,000 after a nearly "serious high-speed crash" during practice in the kingdom. The British driver was also issued a warning.
Williams driver Logan Sargeant had to apply heavy braking to avoid crashing into Hamilton's sluggish Mercedes.
According to the Formula One stewards, Mercedes should have warned Hamilton when Sargeant was approaching quickly during a lap. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is the fastest street course on the Formula One schedule.
The radio pundit Carlos Sainz, who will replace Hamilton at Ferrari in the upcoming season, said, "What Hamilton did there is super dangerous."
"He was halfway through the track. He had the option to move aside. Sargeant almost went down because of him."
Hamilton was called in to see the stewards after finishing seventh in practice, six positions behind teammate Russell.
