Verstappen makes unusual appeal to Ferrari chairman Elkann

Three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen has made an unusual appeal to Ferrari chairman John Elkann.

But, before you get your engines all revved up, it's not about Max switching from Red Bull to the Scuderia, although such a prospect is possible at some point in the future.

Rather, Verstappen Max has a unique request in mind – he's keen on acquiring Michael Schumacher's iconic Ferrari F2004, the very machine with which the great German dominated the 2004 F1 season, winning 13 of the 18 rounds held that year to seal his seventh and final crown.

“I would like to have in my garage all the Red Bull cars with which I have won an F1 World Championship, in addition to Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2004,” Verstappen told Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It’s an incredible car, but I don’t know how I would buy it. This is an appeal to John Elkann, I hope he reads this interview and maybe calls me.”

As an astute negotiator, perhaps the Ferrari chief will forward to Verstappen a request of his own and offer Schumacher’s dominant mount to the Dutchman in exchange for a multi-year contract with the Scuderia once his current deal with Red Bull runs out at the end of 2028.

“I know that Ferrari has an incredible history in Formula 1 and is an incredible team to compete with,” Verstappen recently told Sportweek.

“I know that when the current contract comes to an end I will be 31 years old and I am quite convinced that I will still be able to do great things.”

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Verstappen joining the House of Maranello is an enticing proposition to say the least.

However, the 26-year-old has also frequently mentioned how ending his journey in F1 with his loyal and surrogate Red Bull family would be equally alluring.

“It would be a beautiful story if I could drive here forever, that’s for sure, something that will be amazing,” Verstappen told Sky F1.

“I’m really happy with where I am. I feel at home, I feel really happy with the people who are very close to me here in the team.

“For me, this is not something that I need to seek. I have a few more years left on my contract anyway, so I’m just enjoying the moment.”

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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.