Mateschitz : 'Verstappen has nowhere to go!'

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Red Bull's Dietrich Mateschitz insists that there is no chance of Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull Racing anytime soon.

The Dutch prodigy endured his sixth retirement of the season on Sunday in Spa, a failing which understandably triggered doubts over Verstappen's future with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

But the 19-year-old is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2018, and with no readily available alternatives currently in sight, any premature departure is impossible.

Mateschitz sided with his unfortunate driver when it came to assessing Renault, the source of most of Verstappen's failures this season.

Jos Verstappen questions Red Bull's ability to perform with Renault

"A 50 per cent failure rate is simply unacceptable," Mateschitz told Speed Week.

The billionaire insisted however that Verstappen has no other choice but to make the best of a bad situation.

"At the moment, where would he go?" the Austrian business mogul wondered.

"But we know we cannot keep Max in the future if we cannot give him a car."

While blaming Renault, Mateschitz conceded that an engine supplier change in the future is an unlikely scenario.

"Nothing has changed for us. We cannot get a Mercedes or Ferrari, and a Honda would not help us."

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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.