Motorsport: Motor racing-Future is with Red Bull says Verstappen, but never say never

MIAMI (Reuters) – Formula One triple world champion Max Verstappen said on Thursday Red Bull was his home but then closed his meeting with the media at the Miami Grand Prix by teasing that you never know what life holds.

With Red Bull’s top rated designer Adrian Newey having announced earlier this week he was leaving, Verstappen seemed to put an end to mounting speculation he too was listening to offers, declaring his future was with the energy drink outfit.

Reports in Germany have linked Verstappen to a possible move to Mercedes, who are looking for a replacement with seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton set to join Ferrari at the end of the season.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has knocked back speculation about a meeting with Verstappen’s management after this weekend’s Miami race while the Dutchman also brushed aside rumours by suggesting not even 250 million euros ($268 million) would tempt him away from Red Bull.

But before departing Verstappen opened the door to a move just a crack, teasing you should never say never.

“My future is with Red Bull,” declared Verstappen. “Money is not going to be a differentiator for me to go somewhere.

“I’m happy with what I’m earning right now.

“It’s about performance. It’s always about performance at the end of the day.

“At the moment, I can say that I want to stay with the team because I believe in the project that we have.

“But at the end of the day, in sports, but also in life, you never know what’s going to happen in the future.”

If performance is the currency to acquire Verstappen’s services then no team on the starting grid is richer than Red Bull.

Despite a season of turmoil and scandal Red Bull’s dominance has continued unabated.

Internal divisions resulting from a female employee’s allegations of inappropriate behaviour against team boss Christian Horner, for which he was cleared, have been a distraction as has Newey’s imminent departure.

But on the track Red Bull has remained focused and unchallenged.

“I think it is always very important to remain calm and focus on your job,” Verstappen told reporters. “At the end of the day, we need to have the fastest car.

“That’s what I have always demanded.

“So, basically, it goes on like it was going on before.

“At the moment, everyone is very focused on what we have to do.

“Winning helps a lot.”

(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Chris Reese)