Max Verstappen has responded to Fernando Alonso's claim that there is “zero chance” of him leaving Red Bull at the end of 2024, insisting he has not yet decided whether he wants to compete in F1 in 2025.
Despite Verstappen being under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, there are rumors of a sensational move to Mercedes for 2025 as a result of the off-track drama currently involving the reigning constructors' champion. has been done.
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Verstappen's father Jos called on Christian Horner to resign after last month's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, saying the long-time team boss had said he had “caused the problem” following an investigation into Horner's conduct. “They are playing the victim even though they are doing something wrong.” he was fired.
“There is no greater player than the team,” Horner said in Saudi Arabia a week later, amid fears the saga could persuade Verstappen to join Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. he claimed.
Alonso is said to be watching Verstappen's situation with interest as his current contract with Aston Martin expires at the end of 2024, with reports this week suggesting the two-time world champion is set to join Red Bull next season. “They are pushing very hard.”
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Ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, Alonso was adamant Verstappen would stay, but teased that Red Bull's sudden withdrawal could “impact” his plans for 2025.
Verstappen, who attended the drivers' press conference in Suzuka, seemed to suggest he was not even sure whether he would be on the grid next season.
When asked if Alonso's comments were accurate, Verstappen replied:
“But from my side, no, I'm very happy with where I am. And we want to keep it that way.”
The Silverstone-based team has been mentioned as an outsider to sign Verstappen, with Red Bull's current engine partner Honda set to link up with Aston Martin in 2026, with reports last week suggesting Red Bull's There were also reports that design guru Adrian Newey had received a lucrative offer to join Aston.
Asked if he could reunite with Honda at Aston Martin in the future, Verstappen said: “I don't know.
“That doesn’t necessarily mean 26 years or anything like that, right?
“I have a contract with Red Bull until 2020. After that, I would first like to see if I really want to continue. That is the most important thing for me. Where it is is not so important.
“So I'm not really thinking about those things at the moment.”
Read next: Adrian Newey reports: A test of Red Bull's strength or another show of Aston Martin's ambition?
