Verstappen away from Red Bull? 'Shame if nobody picks up this talent'

Honda departs from F1

Red Bull Racing has to look for a new engine supplier by 2022, now that Honda has announced that they will stop in Formula 1 by the end of 2021. This is a problem for Red Bull, which now seems to have to rely on Renault engines again. For Max Verstappen this situation is not necessarily very bad, says Van de Grint.

''An insider felt this coming, of course, and I can't imagine that the people who are closely involved in this were surprised. Other engine suppliers have already opted for sustainability and the car has simply changed. In that respect this is a debacle and a failure for Formula 1'', says Bridgestone's former tyre expert.

Verstappen to Mercedes

According to Kees, however, it is Red Bull that has a problem with this and not Verstappen. ''Red Bull Racing has a problem, because they have nowhere else to go but Renault. I don't see that problem for Verstappen, because it would be a shame if this talent isn't picked up by a team with a good engine deal like Mercedes'', said Van de Grint, who also sees opportunities for 2021.

''Honda promises a powerful new engine for 2021 and wants to leave Formula 1 as a champion, so why not? However, in 2022 Verstappen will simply drive a Mercedes. I see more of a problem for Red Bull than for Verstappen'', concludes Van de Grint at RTL GP Slipstream.