Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 but his future has been a big talking point this season; watch Friday practice from 1am and 5am, with qualifying on Saturday at 5am and the Australian GP itself from 4am on Sunday - live on Sky Sports F1
Thursday 21 March 2024 18:12, UK
Max Verstappen has not ruled out the possibility of joining Mercedes in the future after Toto Wolff stated he would "love" to have the reigning world champion at the team.
Verstappen's future has been questioned following off-track turbulence at Red Bull after the conclusion of an investigation into Christian Horner, which resulted in allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against the team principal by a female colleague being dismissed.
Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari for 2025 leaves a seat open at Mercedes and in the wake of Verstappen's win at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Wolff commented that "there is no team that wouldn't do handstands to have him in the car."
In March 2022, Verstappen signed a new contract to stay at Red Bull until the end of 2028.
"It doesn't have any impact on me on what I would do. It's always nice to hear that," said Verstappen when asked about whether Wolff's comments affect him.
"Toto and I, we had our little moments but that's normal between two teams battling for the championship. But the respect has always been there. From my side, it doesn't change anything."
Asked if he would ever join Mercedes in the future, Verstappen said: "I don't know. I don't know what happens after 2028. I don't know if I'm going to stay in F1 or continue or sign a new deal? I don't know that."
Verstappen is enjoying an unprecedented period of dominance as he looks to equal his own record of 10 consecutive wins with victory this Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix - live on Sky Sports F1.
It was only six months ago when the Dutchman broke Sebastian Vettel's previous benchmark of nine wins in a row.
Since his F1 debut in 2015, Verstappen has always been part of Red Bull, first with the sister team, then known as Toro Rosso, before joining Red Bull mid-season in May 2016.
He won on his Red Bull debut at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix to become the sport's youngest F1 race winner at 18 years and 228 days and has gone on to become a three-time world champion.
"I've always felt comfortable (at Red Bull) because for me it's like a second family," said Verstappen.
"In a family, there might sometimes be, how would you say, not disagreements, but in families you can't choose family, you can choose friends.
"But, no it's good. For me, it's been the same. We just focus on the performance. I would like the chat to be a bit more about the great car we have but hopefully that will come slowly."
A lot of Red Bull's success has been put down to Adrian Newey but technical director Pierre Wache, aerodynamics designers Craig Skinner and Enrico Balbo plus head of performance engineering Ben Waterhouse have also played an instrumental role in the technical department.
Verstappen insists the team are all focused on their performance on the track and is prepared to see out his current contract, but hinted key members of the team must stay.
"I'm happy within the team. It's very important that we try to keep the key players in the team for a longer period of time because that's what goes with the performances as well.
"At the end of the day, it's a performance basis. It's the same as if I wouldn't perform, I wouldn't be sitting here. I know how that works. With the deal (my contract) in place, that's my intention for sure to be here until the end because it would be a great story.
"For me personally, also, to just see it out to the end because it almost basically means that I've been part of one family and team."
Asked who those key players were, Verstappen said: "Many people. I'm not going to name because then people know."
Thursday March 21
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Formula 1's biggest ever season continues with the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, with Sunday's race live on Sky Sports F1 at 4am. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership - no contract, cancel anytime
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