Jos Verstappen Denies Mercedes Interest in Max

A few days ago, Auto Bild had reported that Mercedes are keeping a close eye on Max Verstappen in the future. Red Bull motorsport advisor, Dr Helmut Marko said, “Toto Wolff has called him and his father Jos already for months, but I’m relaxed, the performance clause in Max’s contract should be safe and he feels comfortable with us, and if we provide him with championship-worthy material, I’m not worried, he’ll stay.”

However, according to the latest developments, Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, has denied such claims.

“Toto never calls Max,” he revealed, speaking to De Telegraaf. “I don’t even think he has his number. I occasionally speak to Toto, but that makes sense,”

“We are very satisfied with Red Bull and the cooperation with Honda,” he continued. “We are working together to make a dream come true,”

There were also rumours that Red Bull inserted a team performance clause in Max Verstappen’s contract. It allegedly says that Max Verstappen could move to Mercedes in 2020. However, the credibility of such a clause remains in question.

In the meantime, Red Bull are still getting used to the Honda power unit after their switch for 2019. So far, the RB15 has been plagued with aerodynamic issues since the 2019 season began.

Max Verstappen climbed onto the podium in the season-opening Australian GP behind the Mercedes duo. Then, in Bahrain, he finished 4th losing out on a second straight podium due to a late safety car interruption. Te claimed that the team’s form “couldn’t have been worse” in Bahrain

Now, as the paddock heads to China for Round three of the 2019 season, the Austrian team needs to up their game to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari. They know it as well, or Max Verstappen, Formula 1’s youngest race winner of all time, may decide to jump ship to a stronger team like Mercedes in order to chase the elusive World Championship.