Max Verstappen has stated that he understands Adrian Newey’s choice to leave Red Bull, emphasizing the significance of prioritizing oneself in the competitive realm of Formula 1. Newey’s departure occurs amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s future with the team.
Verstappen acknowledges the importance of maintaining focus and comfort with the team’s technical capabilities, notwithstanding recent personnel changes. He recognizes that Adrian Newey has played a pivotal role in Red Bull’s success since joining in 2006, but also acknowledges the evolution of the team’s technical department, with numerous talented individuals contributing to its strength.
Despite expressing a preference for Newey to remain, Verstappen trusts the team’s technical capabilities outside of Newey’s direct involvement, citing the team’s recent competitive performance as evidence. He views the situation as less dramatic than it may appear from an external perspective.
Amidst the tensions within Red Bull, Verstappen has faced speculation linking him to a potential move to Mercedes, with team principal Toto Wolff expressing interest in signing the Dutchman. However, Verstappen insists that he intends to stay with Red Bull for the time being, believing in the team’s project and the people involved.
Verstappen emphasizes that his future decisions will be driven by performance considerations, recognizing that he becomes “quite grumpy” when not competing for top positions. He acknowledges that Mercedes has struggled to match Red Bull’s performance under the current regulations but remains open to future possibilities. For the moment, his focus is on the current season and the potential for success in the years ahead.
