F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Verstappen to Ferrari in 2018 despite watertight contract?

Could Max Verstappen's mounting frustrations at Red Bull this season entice the 19-year-old to force his way out of his contract if the House of Maranello came calling?

Slowly but surely, pundits are ramping up their speculation about who could potentially go where next season, ignoring binding contracts for 2018.

Max Verstappen surely expected a better start to his year, or at the very least trusted Red Bull Racing to deliver a car capable of running at the front and fulfilling his expectations of winning.

The Milton-Keynes outfit has struggled so far however to remain in contact with front-runners Ferrari and Mercedes, let alone beat its rivals.

As a consequence, Verstappen is unhappy and Sky Sports Ted Kravitz believes Ferrari could be waiting in the wings to pounce on the Dutch prodigy and draft him in as Kimi Raikkonen's replacement for next year. 

"What is going to happen to Verstappen? We hear that not only is he not happy but by extension Jos is not happy," Kravitz reported.

"They are having heated discussions with Helmut Marko about what on earth is going on, where’s this championship you promised us, and they’re looking around as well.

"I think we have to throw Verstappen into the mix of where he will be driving next year. Red Bull say they hold all the cards, drivers don’t leave us we dump drivers.

"But try saying that to Sebastian Vettel who had a valid Red Bull contract. If Verstappen has Ferrari coming in saying ‘We want you Max to partner Sebastian next year, take Kimi’s seat, we’ll sort out the contract’ I think he would go."

Verstappen's extraordinary youth doesn't appear to warrant patience, according to Kravitz.

"He’s that impatient for championship success that I think he would go at the moment because he doesn’t see, like many of us, Red Bull getting a championship before the rules change after 2020.

"Verstappen may have a contract but, as Christian Horner says, you can’t force a driver to drive for you if he doesn’t want to drive for you."

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Want to win a trackday experience? All you have to do is subscribe to our FREE newsletter HERE

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

15 mins ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

1 hour ago

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

3 hours ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

3 hours ago

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

4 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

5 hours ago