P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Rumblings of a Max Verstappen exit from Red Bull have done its rounds over the last 12 months.
Ford has confirmed that it will not abandon Red Bull if Max Verstappen chooses to leave the team in the near future. Verstappen is under contract until the end of 2028 but speculations suggest an early departure due to Red Bull’s performance decline and contract clauses. Red Bull is preparing for the new era of F1 with its own power unit in partnership with Ford, marking Ford’s return to the sport after two decades. Ford emphasized that the decision to join forces was not solely based on Verstappen, highlighting their commitment to the overall team success. While Verstappen has been linked to Mercedes and Aston Martin, Ford expressed its desire for him to stay but assured that their partnership with Red Bull is not contingent on his choices. CEO Mark Rushbrook emphasized the long-term vision of their collaboration and their unwavering commitment to the team’s success regardless of individual changes.
