"Verstappen addresses speculation over F1 future after being linked with move away from Red Bull"
F1 - March 21, 2024
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...H4SuSJueAXSyY0
"“I think there’s every reason to be happy, right?” Verstappen responded. “The car’s going really well, there’s so many great people in the team that are constantly pushing for better results, so for me that’s what I focus on.
“I focus on the performance, I’m happy, and when I go home, I don’t think about any other thing because it’s pretty fixed where I’m at also, and that’s also where I want to be.”"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sneaky Pete
After his second go at McLaren where he [Alonso] mercilessly criticised Honda, he was no longer top of the list for a front running F1 seat...the feeling being that despite his massive abilities he just too much of a loose cannon
His foray into racing in USA didn't go so well either as Honda were still grumpy with him and did their best to keep him out of any team using their engines.
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Related but in an opposite, positive way. No secret that there is lots of mutual respect and appreciation between Verstappen and Honda. Do you consider it conceivable that Verstappen would follow Honda to Aston Martin (targeted by Aramco) (based in Silverstone) from 2026 onwards (cf. March 2023 deal struck between Honda and AM), knowing that Red Bull will switch from Honda to Ford/RBR Powertrains engines from 2026 onwards ? Aramco is rumored to be willing to offer Verstappen and Newey an intergalactic salary to get them on board in the near future. Mercedes is also interested to get Verstappen, but of course uses Mercedes engines and has no pockets as deep as Aramco to pay a top driver a mind-boggling salary.
Why moving when it's OK where you are (apart from the Horner situation) ? Also Hamilton made a bold move in 2013 to switch from McLaren to the less competitive Mercedes car. The 2014 'hybrid' regs and 2022 regs reshuffled the landscape. The 2026 regs may reshuffle the landscape yet again. And Verstappen achieved major F1 success with Honda engines.
"Honda to Participate in FIA Formula OneŽ World Championship from 2026"
Honda - May 24, 2023
https://www.honda-mideast.com/en/news/F1-2026
Honda trivia: Prost told in a 2021 interview that during his time as team mate of Senna he had noticed someday that a new set of Honda engines flown in from Japan featured a "Special For Ayrton" message (from 19:00 onwards
here). Honda was fond of Senna.
