Toro Rosso rookie Max Verstappen says he feels “quite sure” to stay with the Faenza-based squad in 2016 regardless of its power supply.
Parent outfit Red Bull cut ties with engine partner Renault one year ahead of schedule, and has yet to announce a replacement deal for next season.
Despite company boss Dietrich Mateschitz repeatedly threatening to pull the plug on his two teams if he fails to land a competitive power unit, it is believed that junior squad Toro Rosso is poised to use year-old Ferrari engines next season.
Asked by GPUpdate.net whether he feared for his future in the top flight amidst the current uncertainty, Verstappen replied:
“For me it is not so difficult. [Toro Rosso] told me that they are quite positive about the developments, so I'm not worried.
“Whether I'm driving next year in a Toro Rosso-Renault? I do not know. But I will be in a Toro Rosso, that's quite sure.”
The Dutchman has had a cracking debut season so far. Not only did the teenager become the youngest F1 points-scorer by finishing seventh in Malaysia, he followed it up with eight more top-10 appearances, including two P4s at Budapest and Austin.
Verstappen currently occupies 10th position in the Drivers’ standings, with Lotus’ Romain Grosjean two points behind and Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg another point adrift.
While the 18-year-old was able to fend off the Frenchman during last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, Verstappen thinks the reigning Le Mans 24 Hours champion will present a harder challenge until the end of the season.
“That will be difficult [to keep P10]. Force India is currently very strong. But of course we will do our best, we'll see.
“If you look [at] Mexico, with the very long straight, it was quite difficult for us of course. Brazil has slightly more fast corners, which should be reasonable for us. So hopefully we get a few more points.”
Mexican Grand Prix - Driver ratings
Use the red tabs on either side of the screen to scroll through more Formula One news and features
Click here for the F1 drivers' girlfriends gallery
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
On the eve of Formula 1’s thrilling 2025 title decider in Abu Dhabi, the entire…
As Formula 1 prepares to wave goodbye to its current rule set in Abu Dhabi,…
On the eve of Formula 1’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, drivers set aside championship…
Formula 1's 2025 season hurtles toward its dramatic close this weekend in Yas Marina, with…
In a title showdown charged with tension, numbers, and a hint of intra-team intrigue, Max…
Charles Leclerc isn’t sugarcoating Ferrari’s struggles this season – but he also isn’t second-guessing the…