Coulthard makes bold Verstappen prediction as Red Bull exit talk grows
Updated: 19:08, 25 Apr
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Savannah Lenz is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with a broad interest in motorsport. With experience in content creation and journalism, she delivers accessible and reliable coverage for a global F1 audience.
As the season begins to warm up, many wonder if this will be Max Verstappen’s last year on the grid. The Dutchman has been fairly vocal about the new regulations, with his strong opinions stretching back to 2023. Former F1 driver and current commentator David Coulthard weighed in on whether the four-time champ could actually leave.
Speaking exclusively to GPblog, Coulthard said, “Everything's possible. I'm not sure Max knows right now what he'll do. It's a case of he doesn't have to decide right now, so why make any decision?”
GPblog has already received signals that his future with the Austrian outfit is becoming increasingly clear. Continuing at Red Bull appears to be an option that clearly ranks below several other possibilities, this website understands.
'Anyone can have an opinion'
Verstappen's current contract expires in 2028. However, the Dutchman has found himself more involved with other series (namely NLS), which seem to promote ‘real racing’ over what the new regulations have delivered for Formula 1.
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Coulthard said: “The sport has gone through a massive transformation. There's clearly been a lot of noise around the new regulations, and the FIA, F1 and the drivers have clearly tried to add some change to make that less of an issue.” He continued, “It would seem that some drivers are more vocal than others and that probably comes down to confidence in the results they've had and the position they have within the sport.”
The Briton then asserted, “I don't think anyone should ever be silenced. I think it's the very nature of free speech that anyone can have an opinion, provided you're not arguing over facts. If it's a feeling, then it's down to the individual. And who can anyone criticise the driver, whoever that may be, if they're giving an opinion based on what their experience is.”
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Coulthard prefers the classic days
Like many drivers, Coulthard prefers a more classic take on Formula 1. "If I was still a racing driver, I'd be doing what I love to do, which is to go racing and to try and exploit whatever the rules and regulations were to the best of my ability. As I'm not a racing driver now, I'm perfectly happy to reflect on the period of which I raced, because that would be considered a more sort of classic era of motorsport.
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"When we look at this Jim Clark car [Lotus 33] from way back in the 60s, a naturally aspirated engine, four points of contact, and the best aerodynamic and vehicle dynamic Formula 1 has obviously evolved, as the world has, towards electrification, hybrid. These cars are incredibly high tech."
Coulthard said, "That's what probably makes it challenging to bring in new rules and regs is we've come off the back of one of the closest seasons in Formula 1 history in terms of front to grid to back of grid and that therefore has set a blueprint of what people expect from Formula 1 and now some cars aren't making the start and all of those things which will be more of a challenge at the beginning of the evolution of any new regulation."
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