Raymond Vermeulen, Manager of Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, commented in detail in an interview about the summer theater around his protégé. Among other things, he revealed how close a Red Bull party really was and why the Dutch remains.
The Formula 1 world has kept the sporting future of Max Verstappen in the past few months. And for good reasons, as his manager Raymond Vermeulen explained in the “Telegraaf” interview.
Vermeulen emphasized that a Red Bull party of his protégé was “naturally” an issue. “It is also understandable that you ask yourself the question: What happens if we fall back on?”
At the same time, the manager confirmed the existence of an exit clause that could have drawn Verstappen in summer if he hadn’t belonged to the TOP 3 in the driver’s ranking. Ultimately, however, it was “before the summer break” that the four -time champion stayed – at least for another year.
Formula 1: Why stays at Red Bull
“With the new regulations, everything can change next year. It is better to wait and see how the field develops and who stands.
What also emphasized, however, “Super Max” only promised Red Bull for 2026, not beyond. “It would be a fantastic story if he spends his entire Formula 1 career at Red Bull. But that only happens if he has material with which he can win.”
This is exactly why 2026 became “a very important year” for Verstappen, the manager confirmed. A year “in which his future is decided in Formula 1”.
“Don’t you think Wolff also calls at Leclerc?”
One thing is clear: If Verstappen no longer feels like Red Bull, he can choose his next employer. “Every team invests millions to squeeze extra-tenth out of the car. But if you can get a driver who already has this tenth, you are happy to have him,” says Vermeulen for the Dutch there is no problems looking for a job.
The manager said that other teams were already presenting the four-time Formula 1 world champion, the manager said. “It’s not so exciting. Everyone calls everyone. Or do you don’t believe that Toto Wolff also calls Charles Leclerc? Is that just a puzzle that everyone wants to solve for themselves. Everyone is selfish and want the best in themselves. This is only logical.”