Yesterday at 06:30
Max Verstappen's brother-in-law and former F1 driver Nelson Piquet
Jr. has revealed that the Dutchman will make a decision on his
future in August. Verstappen has been heavily linked with a shock
move to Mercedes, with recently axed Red Bull boss Christian
Horner, Helmut Marko and his manager Raymond Vermeulen having all
refused to deny that an exit could happen. The four-time world
champion himself has also refused to confirm if he will continue
with the Milton Keynes-based outfit next year, despite having a
contract until the end of 2028. A move elsewhere has been linked
due to Verstappen having several exit clauses which can be
activated this summer. If he does move, Mercedes is the likely
option, as outlined by Piquet. "It was not Mercedes' weekend [at
Silverstone]. Maybe Max will be there next year," Piquet Jr. said
on the Pelas Pistas podcast. "Oops, is that right?", Piquet Jr.
was asked by the podcast's presenter, to which the former Renault
F1 driver back-stepped, "No, because they talk to everybody,
everybody knows that, right? But it's an option, everybody knows
that anyway." According to the Brazilian, Verstappen will decide
whether to stick with Red Bull or leave the Austrian outfit next
month. "I think he will make a decision in August," revealed
Piquet, before adding his thoughts on what the 27-year-old will opt
to do, "He will change." Should Verstappen join Mercedes, the
general expectation is that it would be to replace George Russell,
due to the time and money the Silver Arrows has invested into Kimi
Antonelli. Piquet also expects this: "If he goes there, it will be
Kimi Antonelli [alongside him]. That's for sure."
