Max Verstappen makes Red Bull wait for contract decision

Max Verstappen

Verstappen makes Red Bull wait for contract decision

He's in no rush to sign.

Matthew Scott

Wednesday 9 October 2019 17:00

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Max Verstappen says he will not rush into signing a new contract with Red Bull as he waits to see the future progress of the team and Formula 1 in general.

Red Bull have failed to regain dominance over F1 since the dawning of the V6 Hybrid era, with Mercedes taking over as the team to beat on the grid.

The Silver Arrows are set to secure a sixth straight title double in 2019, with Red Bull's struggles to keep pace having led to the departure of Daniel Ricciardo to Renault ahead of the current season.

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Verstappen remains contracted up to the end of 2020, when F1's new regulations will come into effect ahead of 2021, but the Dutchman is in no hurry to extend as he is yet to properly feature in a title fight coming to the end of his fifth F1 season.

"I'm not too worried," Verstappen told Auto Motor und Sport. "First of all, I want to take a close look at everything that has been promised and what actually matters.

"We want to win races next year, and the championship. That's why I'm here. Red Bull and I are working towards that goal.

"But there are so many question marks after 2020: What happens in general with Formula 1? That's why I take my time. I'm not in a hurry."

Verstappen is seen as the leading figure in a wave of younger drivers including Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and George Russell, among others.

The Dutchman is F1's youngest driver and race-winner, but says it is only natural that F1 drivers are debuting in the sport younger and younger.

"It's always like this," he said. "Over the years, there is always a new momentum added to drivers.

"Maybe they are a bit younger now than they were before. But that's the way it is now in every sport.

"The next generation is younger because it is better prepared. The sport has become more professional. That pays off.

"I do not really think that has anything to do with simulator driving. It's about how you are raised. The way we train, how other people help us out."