astigbet Dutch Grand Prix Preview: Verstappen Casts Doubt Over Red Bull Future Ahead Of Landmark Race

Max Verstappen has cast doubt on his long-term future with Red Bull Max Verstappen has cast doubt on his long-term future with Red Bull

Max Verstappen failed to confirm whether his long-term future remained with Red Bull ahead of this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix. (More Motorsport News)astigbet

Verstappen, who leads the Formula One drivers' championship by 78 points to McLaren's Lando Norris, joined the team in 2016 and has since won three world titles. 

This weekend's race in Zandvoort will be Verstappen's 200th in the competition, becoming the 23rd driver to reach that tally while also surpassing Alain Prost (199).

During that time, the 26-year-old has won 61 times, reaching 107 podiums while also amassing 2863.5 points in the process. 

But when asked if he would compete in another 200 races, Verstappen said: "No. We are past halfway for sure but it's been already an incredible ride.

"It doesn't feel like 200 races, but we do a lot of races in the year, so you add them quite quickly."

The three-time world champion put pen to paper on a new deal with the Austrian-based team in 2022, keeping him with them until at least the end of 2028. 

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But the Dutchman has been touted as a possible replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who will join Ferrari in 2025, at Mercedes.

"2028 is far away," said Verstappen on whether he could be persuaded to stay in F1 beyond his current contract.

"In my mind at the moment, I'm not thinking about a new contract. I want to see how it goes and see the new regulations to see if it's fun or not," he said. 

"Then even in 2026 and 2027, there's a lot of time to decide what happens. I keep everything open and am quite easy-going about it."

Verstappen has struggled since his win at the Spanish Grand Prix five races ago, with the field the most competitive it has been in recent years. 

However, he did come from 11th on the grid to beat championship rival Norris to fourth place last time out at the Belgian Grand Prix, but he isn't thinking about his points advantage ahead of this weekend's home race.

"If you look at the championship, Lando is the closest challenger, but lately you can see there are a lot of cars winning races," said Verstappen.

"It's very unknown, very close and attention to detail, getting the car in the right operating window, can really make a difference."

Dutch Grand Prix… Are you ready for it? #F1 astigbet

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