SM
Atalanta vs. Liverpool: 6 hrs 50 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Verstappen 'exit' clause expires on Sunday

:Headline: Verstappen 'exit' clause expires on Sunday: ID:366879: from db_amp
An explosion of intense silly season rumours could finally come to an end on Sunday.

An explosion of intense silly season rumours could finally come to an end on Sunday.

Authoritative sources, including Italy's Corriere della Sera, claim that the lineups at all top three teams - Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull - are up for grabs.

Fernando Alonso is being linked with an unlikely union with Red Bull-Honda, and Lewis Hamilton with a switch to Ferrari.

And Mercedes, currently contemplating who Hamilton's teammate should be, is being linked with a sensational sweep for Max Verstappen.

Germany's motorsport-magazin.com reports that Toto Wolff met with the Dutchman's father Jos Verstappen for dinner in Hungary.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko insists he is not worried.

"We are in a comfortable situation," he said. "If Mr Wolff goes to dinner with Jos Verstappen, that's his business. Max, not Jos, drives for us."

The silly season saga began recently when Verstappen's management confirmed the existence of an exit clause in the 21-year-old's 2020 contract.

"The chances of Max staying is 99 per cent," Marko told the Austrian broadcaster ORF in Budapest.

"There's one mathematically tiny little chance that I do not think will happen."

It is believed the 'exit' clause is linked to performance, with Verstappen needing to be below third in the championship on Sunday to easily cancel the Red Bull deal.

"I'm not great at maths, but Sebastian would have to win the race with Max not getting any points," Marko said.

But he thinks that even if that happens, Verstappen will want to stay "for personal reasons".

Then, as Verstappen himself pointed out, 2021 is an entirely different matter.

"The title at Red Bull is my target and I believe in it," he said. "It's like a family. But the new regs in 2021 are a doubt for everyone.

"What does the future hold? I can't answer that one yet," Max added.

Corriere della Sera also reports that both Hamilton and Verstappen made enquiries with Ferrari recently, but were "politely" turned down.

And former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher told Sky Deutschland that Verstappen should steer clear of teaming up with Hamilton at Mercedes.

"Going to Mercedes would be nonsense for Max," he said.

amp_article__366879 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-08-05 21:19:12:
html db last update - 2021-02-25 07:02:49 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Max Verstappen

Click here for more stories about Red Bull

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .