Priestley sees Verstappen leaving Red Bull: 'That's a real option'

Red Bull Racing will be without an engine from 2022 onwards due to the departure of Honda, which could have far-reaching consequences for Max Verstappen's contract. Will the Dutchman stay with Red Bull now?

Verstappen away from Red Bull?

In this winter Verstappen extended his contract until 2023, but Helmut Marko already made it clear that Red Bull had to supply him with a competitive car, otherwise the Dutchman would still be able to leave. With the departure of Honda it could be that Verstappen will reconsider his options.

''What he signed up for is no longer the real situation. It is a real option that Verstappen will leave if he doesn't like Red Bull's new engine partner. The question is where can he go? Where do you go if you want to be world champion? Mercedes is of course the most logical option and we're talking about 2022,'' Marc Priestley says in his new video.

Verstappen has plenty of choice

The former mechanic of McLaren would like to see Verstappen driving for the German team, but also sees obstacles on the road. ''Lewis Hamilton is expected to sign a three-year contract and I am looking forward to seeing if there is an option for Verstappen at Mercedes. From 2022 onwards, it is also questionable whether Mercedes is still in Formula 1 at all and whether they are still so dominant under the new rules'.

The reactions include proposals about a duo of Fernando Alonso and Verstappen at Renault and Lando Norris and Verstappen at McLaren. Priestley thinks the options are a nice prospect and also states that Verstappen doesn't have to worry. ''He could go anywhere, of course. Everyone will want to take advantage of this moment to bring in Max'', concludes the former Sky Sports analyst.