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Dutch F1 racing driver Jeroen Bleekemolen thinks there is a possibility of Max Verstappen taking a sabbatical next season if Red Bull is not competitive. The 3-time world champion's future has been a topic of conversation this season, especially with the Austrian team struggling to keep up with the competition in the second half of the season.
The season started impressively for both Verstappen and Red Bull. The team and the driver built up a significant early season lead with dominant wins and pole positions. In fact, Verstappen's run of pole positions this season only ended in Monaco.
The upgrades in Miami that McLaren brought, however, proved to be the turning point for it and for Red Bull. With 6 races left in the season, Max Verstappen is 52 points ahead of Lando Norris but desperately trying to fend off his title rival in a car that's not fighting for wins anymore.
Talking to Racingnews365.nl, Bleekemolen opined that if Red Bull is not competitive next season, Verstappen could take a sabbatical. He also said that with Christian Horner saying it made little sense to keep someone around who's not willing to work, it could be a smooth process. Bleekemolen said (via planetf1.com),
“If it doesn’t work out – and he won’t end up driving at the back – then I can just see that happening, yes. He doesn’t feel like it then.”
He added,
"There will be money enough to buy off any contracts. And Christian Horner has also already indicated that if someone really does not want to come out for his team, he cannot force them to stay. And he’s right about that too, it won’t make the team better.”
Dutch driver feels Max Verstappen could end up at Aston Martin
Jeroen Bleekemolen felt that Aston Martin could be the next destination for Max Verstappen, as Lawrence Stroll is very interested in hiring the Dutch driver. In addition, the presence of Adrian Newey was also significant, in his eyes. He said,
“I think he will then join Aston Martin, albeit after a six-month sabbatical, or so maybe during the season still. That is absolutely not inconceivable either. Lawrence [Stroll] wants him very badly"
Talking about how Fernando Alonso fits into this equation, the Dutch driver felt that the situation would be very fluid for the Spaniard at Aston Martin as he could eventually move on to endurance racing. He said,
“Alonso will step out the moment he has to. According to his contract, he is paid well for that by Aston Martin and he doesn’t have eternal shelf life either. He will do Le Mans anyway in 2026 with the Valkyrie project, maybe then together with Max!”
It will be interesting how things shape up for Verstappen, Red Bull, and Aston Martin. The results in the next few months look set to play a big role in which team the three-time F1 champion will be driving for, according to Bleekemolen.
