Max Verstappen, Formula One’s teen wonder, told the sport what everyone already knew when he underlined his commitment to Red Bull.
Speculation has been flying around the F1 paddock for months that the 18-year-old Dutchman was on the target list at Ferrari, who have to make a decision on whether to replace Kimi Raikkonen. With Verstappen heading towards the end of a three-year contract, the youngster was high on the Scuderia’s wishlist.
But Red Bull’s extraordinary decision to dump Daniil Kvyat just four grands prix into the season and replace him with Verstappen emphasised just how keen they were to hang on to a young talent who is already being compared to Michael Schumacher, the seven-times world champion.
By promoting Verstappen to the senior squad now, Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, and Helmut Marko, advisor to Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull’s owner, hope to be rewarded with the loyalty of the driver they have groomed for stardom.
Verstappen gets his first run with Red Bull on the familiar Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix next week alongside Daniel Ricciardo, his new team-mate, while Kvyat is relegated to the Toro Rosso junior squad.
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Appearing at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes factory for the first time yesterday, Verstappen said he had no reason to consider offers from other teams now.
“To be honest, I was always very happy at Red Bull,” Verstappen said. “I never saw reason to change and, of course, with this opportunity there is no reason to change, so I am happy to be here.
“This team is very competitive and I’m also a very competitive person, so hopefully it will be a perfect match. It is a great honour and it is a top team and that is where every driver wants to drive.
“Now I just can’t wait to jump in the car. I go [to the Spanish GP] with no expectations. I wouldn’t say more pressure. I just want to adapt to the car, understand it better and see what my team-mate is doing because the most important thing is to score points.
“I just hope to feel comfortable in the car. I have never driven the RB12 before, so we’ll find out in Barcelona.”