Max Verstappen's future in Formula 1 is set to be resolved and announced as early as next month, according to former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese. The 28-year-old four-time world champion's season has been overshadowed by speculation that he could either retire or join a new team as Red Bull struggles to provide him with a race-winning car.
Close Title Bid and Current Struggles
Verstappen came remarkably close to clinching the World Championship last year, missing out on a fifth consecutive title by just two points while driving the inferior Red Bull car. However, this season, Red Bull have been unable to give Verstappen a car that matches his ambitions. He has failed to finish three Grand Prix already, and a crash at Silverstone prevented a potential fourth podium finish in as many races.
Red Bull have been the fourth best car on the grid this year, yet Verstappen's brilliance leaves him only 51 points behind George Russell in a leading Mercedes. The Dutchman has been linked with a switch to Mercedes, as well as potential moves to Aston Martin or McLaren, where he could reunite with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.
Retirement Speculation and Talks
Verstappen has also teased the possibility of retiring after criticising the new regulations introduced this year. His next move is the biggest story in F1 during the summer break, with staying at Red Bull also an option.
Speaking to the Daily Star Sport via Compare.bet, six-time Grand Prix winner Riccardo Patrese claimed that Verstappen's decision should be public in September. He said: "I am sure Max Verstappen and Red Bull are talking every day. I understand that if he wants to stay and if Red Bull want him to stay, they have to pay a lot of more money because he asked for something unbelievable in a new contract. I don't know, much more than what is earning now. But he's in the position where he can ask for this kind of thing."
Patrese added: "Nobody for sure at Red Bull wants him to go; so, Max can play games with other teams because he is in such a strong position. He's talking to people all the time, he talks with everybody, including Toto and McLaren. We will find out in September, I am sure, because it's the month where final decisions are taken."
Recent Performance and Reactions
Verstappen finished P2 in Hungary in the final race weekend before the summer break, a result that surprised even him given his car's performance compared to rivals. After the race, a stunned Verstappen said: "I was just like, 'How the hell did I end up here? I was shocked. I'm actually still shocked.'" The result was even more surprising after Verstappen had described the car as "completely broken" and getting "worse and worse" following a spin in qualifying.
