The Dutchman Max Verstappen, youngest winner of a Grand Prix in Formula 1 history, has extended his contract with Red Bull, said on Friday by the Austrian team. Verstappen, 20, had hinted he could leave Red Bull. He is currently the 6th place in the drivers’ world championship before the Grand Prix of the United States, the 17th round of the season on Sunday in Austin (Texas).
The Dutchman Max Verstappen, who became the youngest winner in 2016 of a Grand Prix Formula 1 history, has extended his contract with Red Bull until 2020, said Friday the Austrian team.
“Red Bull has always expressed his faith and trust in me (…) They have always supported me and supported my ambition, we have the same ambitions” , said Verstappen, said in a statement from Red Bull. “I am very happy to continue my involvement with Red Bull, I look forward to this collaboration for the years to come” , said the Néerlanais 6th overall in the World Championship before the Grand Prix of the United States Sunday in Austin (Texas).
The son of a former F1 driver, Verstappen, 20, is a product of Red Bull who made him sign his first contract at 16. After a first season in 2015 with Toro Rosso, the Austrian team based in Milton Keynes in the UK has entrusted one of its cars in 2016. In his first season, he won the Spanish Grand Prix at 18 years 7 months and 15 days, a record early in the history of F1.
This extension has not failed to surprise observers: rumored Dutch courted by Ferrari and Mercedes for 2019, as he had several times this season threatened to leave if the team Red Bull, powered by Renault engines, not palliated its lack of competitiveness.
Verstappen was indeed forced to retire seven times in 16 races, but has regained form during the Asian tour with a win in Singapore, the second of his career, and a 2nd place in Japan. Verstappen with Red Bull until 2020, the great upheaval expected on the market end tranfers 2018 for the best drivers in the paddock, looks challenged.
It could not be finally a change among the “top teams” with the potential retirement of Kimi Raikkonnen at Ferrari, with Australian Daniel Ricciardo, Verstappen current teammate at Red Bull as favorite to replace .
