The key player in F1's shuffled driver market
Fernando Alonso has re-signed at McLaren for the "long term" and Max Verstappen has committed to Red Bull until 2020. That's posed a fresh challenge, but potentially new opportunities, for one of F1's star drivers
The timing of Red Bull's announcement that Max Verstappen had decided to extend his stay with the team to the end of 2020 was a surprise. The Dutchman has endured a mixed campaign that has yielded one victory but also persistent unreliability, which has led to speculation that he could escape to join Mercedes or Ferrari. Committing to Red Bull right now is strange.
The team was supposed to be a title contender this season, given the prowess of its technical department and the change in aerodynamic regulations. But it's not emerged as one. There is also uncertainty regarding its engine situation beyond 2018, with Renault eyeing an end to its supply deal. That leaves Honda as the most likely replacement, particularly as it will be supplying Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso, and currently that isn't such an appealing option.
Share Or Save This Story
F1 testing: Max Verstappen feels 'big difference' in 2018 Red Bull
Williams F1's Oliver Rowland to test Super Formula car at Suzuka
Williams F1 team gives Stroll and Sirotkin two race engineers each
F1 testing: Lewis Hamilton 'sacrifice' saved Mercedes an hour
Vandoorne explains McLaren's long delay on day two of F1 testing
F1 testing: Robert Kubica was 'too honest' about his limitations
Red Bull urges FIA to clamp down harder on F1 oil burn
Why F1's under-fire rookie is already causing surprises
Same driver quality, less carnage with smaller 2024 DTM grid - van der Linde
Top five roles on Motorsport Jobs this week
How Stroll and Magnussen revealed the scale of F1’s racing and rules problems
Peugeot won't replace Vergne, Vandoorne for Spa WEC amid Formula E clash
How Stroll and Magnussen revealed the scale of F1’s racing and rules problems
Did F1's new sprint format work?
Chinese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024
Why Verstappen's China F1 win was a sideshow to the real battle
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
