A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Max Verstappen has been linked to a premature departure from Red Bull Racing, Christijan Albers, former F1 driver and team principal, sees a few snags in Verstappen's way should he want to leave the Austrian team.
The Dutch pundit believes there's a reason why analysts are so adamant on Verstappen leaving Red Bull Racing.
“Everyone is under pressure. Every analyst, everyone involved with Formula 1. They all have to act crazier and crazier. Just shouting out, saying he'll move to Mercedes. It could happen, but as long as you shout it now, you can say in two or six months, or in two or five years: ‘See, I told you so?’”, Albers explained on De Telegraaf's F1 podcast following the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.
Verstappen to leave Red Bull Racing? 'They won't let him go that easily'
“But look, the reality is currently just that he has a massive contract with Red Bull. They’re not going to let him go that easily. You can never keep a driver if they’re unhappy, but on the other hand, there are significant penalties involved," Albers notes, highlighting that sponsors may be an obstacle in Verstappen's way, should the regining world champion want to take his leave from the Austrian team.
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"I don’t see an Oracle or a Ford, or any big sponsors for that matter saying: ‘Yes of course, you can leave whenever you want, have a blast.’ That’s not how it works.”
Gazzetta dello Sport, reported that Verstappen had received a 264 million euros offer from Aston Martin, but this all turned out to be untrue. Whether Verstappen will leave Red Bull Racing before his contract expires in 2028 it is unclear. At the moment however, the Austrian team's principal has reiterated his confidence in the Dutchman serving out the remainder of his agreement for this year and the next three seasons as well.
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