Max Verstappen 'staying' at Toro Rosso for 2016

  • Published on 01 Sep 2015 12:10
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Max Verstappen is staying put at Toro Rosso for 2016, his father has announced. "He's staying for another year at Toro Rosso," Jos Verstappen, once a teammate to the great Michael Schumacher in the mid 90s, told Austrian television Servus TV.

Earlier, 17-year-old rookie sensation Max was linked with a move to Ferrari, until the fabled Italian team re-signed Kimi Raikkonen for another year. Now, it is rumoured Verstappen could move to Ferrari in 2017. He is currently under firm contract to Red Bull, Toro Rosso's team owner, and has been tentatively linked with a potential move to the senior team for 2016.

As for the Ferrari rumours, Jos said: "It's good that his name is mentioned in this context, but we have a long-term contract with Red Bull and we are very happy about that. He made a big mistake in Monaco, which happens, but otherwise I am so happy with his season so far."

Verstappen snr even thinks Max has earned the respect of his rivals, even though some senior drivers had earlier expressed concerns about his bravado. "The others look at his overtaking on the basis that it is on the limit, but that is a good thing in formula one," said Jos. "I think it's something that deserves respect and my feeling is that is what he has now."

Given the recent Jules Bianchi and Justin Wilson tragedies, however, it might be said that the argument Verstappen is too young and inexperienced for the pinnacle class of motor sport remains strong.

Jos said: "When he sat for the first time in a formula one car, I was a little scared. But when I saw that he has everything under control, I calmed down. I think if you ride a bicycle to school through the city, that is also dangerous. The cars and the tracks are built specifically for racing, so I think that the sport is relatively safe." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Netherlands
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), Netherlands
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar