Max Verstappen on Red Bull: “For me this is the right place”
- Bevan Youl
Max Verstappen has said that Aston Martin Red Bull Racing “is the right place” for him to be after extending his contract until the end of 2023 as it is a “comfortable” team environment.
It was announced last month that Verstappen would be remaining with the team for the next four seasons until the end of 2023 to secure his future.
The Dutchman previous contract expired at the end of 2020 and had been strongly linked with a potential move to Mercedes for 2021, as well as Ferrari.
But the 22-year old said he wasn’t in a rush to decide his future but is happy that there won’t be any more speculation surrounding him for a while.
"I think I always felt very comfortable in the team and I never really wanted to rush anything because there was no need," said Verstappen, as quoted by Autosport.
"Also it all went very quickly. Last year I never really thought about it too much.
"It's also a good thing because it takes away any doubt. There are no question marks anymore.
"When you go into a season when your contract is up at the end of the year, at one point, it is going to maybe be a bit awkward towards the next car, the year after.
"I didn't want to have any of that and for me, this is the right place.”
Red Bull’s engine supplier, Honda, are currently only contracted to stay in F1 until the end of the 2021 season, but Verstappen believes he and the team can win a championship together.
"I feel really good in the team, there are a lot of good people in the team, and I also see the motivation and hunger to fight for victories and championship,” he added.