Is Max Verstappen’s father’s prediction coming true?
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, amid the height of the Formula One soapopera storm two months ago in Bahrain surrounding Christian Horner and the investigation into his conduct towards a female colleague.
Verstappen Sr is not one to shirk his words. Let’s be clear: whatever the reasons, he wanted Horner out. And though the dominance of his son on the track may seem never-ending, there may now be a conclusion of sorts in sight for this Red Bull juggernaut.
The departure of star designer Adrian Newey this week is the talk of the paddock heading into this weekend’s sixth round of the season in Miami.
Newey, the man chiefly praised for this era of Red Bull car which has blown away the rest of the field in the last two years and counting, will leave early next year once work is complete on his RB17 supercar project. Most crucially, once gone, the 65-yearold is free to join another team.
With a 35-year career in F1 behind him, Newey has two choices. Ferrari, Red Bull’s biggest rivals, are the frontrunners, with the designer reportedly having met Scuderia team principal Fred Vasseur in London this week.
Newey has turned down the sport’s most prestigious marque three times in the past but this offer looks the most obvious next step. He would tick two boxes and fulfil two desires: working for Ferrari and with Lewis Hamilton.
The second option — with a mooted high-money offer from Aston Martin a non-starter — is retirement. To sail off into the sunset, with 12 constructors’ titles in the trophy cabinet.
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