P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen is remaining very tight-lipped on his Red Bull future, although his manager has revealed more details on what is going on.
Raymond Vermeulen, Max Verstappen’s manager, has declined to confirm that the four-time world champion might leave Red Bull at the season’s end. Verstappen has been the subject of escalating rumors connecting him to Mercedes, with Toto Wolff and George Russell acknowledging talks have occurred. Russell mentioned during the Austrian Grand Prix that Mercedes’ discussions with Verstappen were slowing his own contract negotiations, while the Dutch driver has stayed mum on the matter. Verstappen, during the media day preceding the British Grand Prix, chose not to verify if discussions with Mercedes had happened. Vermeulen, however, admitted that talks have indeed occurred. The manager emphasized that conversations in the F1 paddock are normal and that media attention towards Verstappen is part of the sport’s nature. Vermeulen highlighted the prevailing speculations and discussions around Verstappen in the context of the high-pressure environment of Formula 1.
