Verstappen hints at Ferrari or Mercedes move

Max Verstappen has hinted he may be open to a move to Ferrari or Mercedes amid growing speculation the 19-year-old is frustrated with life at Red Bull.

The Dutchman is committed to Red Bull for the next two seasons, but has reportedly grown frustrated by his car's performance and reliability issues.

Verstappen lies sixth in the drivers' championship, 120 points behind leader Sebastian Vettel and 60 points behind his Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.

"I know Ferrari has a great story in Formula 1," Verstappen told Germany's Sport Bild.

"It's the same for Mercedes, by the way. Quite honestly, I only want to sit in the best possible car. The colour doesn't really matter."

The driver's father, Jos, himself a former Formula 1 driver, told the Dutch broadcaster fRTL GP earlier this week that his son was desperate to drive a car that matched his ambitions.

"Max wants to become a champion and he will do anything to win," Jos said. 

"Right now, he does not have such an opportunity, but he uses this year to become stronger. Next year, it is clear what our goals are. We want to win, and if this does not happen, the situation will become more complicated.

"At the moment, Max cannot do anything. He is doing everything right, and he feels good in his skin, but he just wants to win. That's what you notice about Max. 

"The disappointment that he cannot win, which is why he has had some problems. He has never experienced (not winning) before."

Verstappen also played down criticism from Ferrari's Vettel, the four-time world champion who accused Verstappen of "playing bumper cars" during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

"They can call me what they want - 'Mad Max' or whatever," he said.

"I say that on the track you have to be an asshole. Look at Michael Schumacher! 

"At the end of the day, a F1 driver needs to know how to win races and titles, not how to be a nice guy."

The Hungarian Grand Prix will be shown live over the weekend of 28-30 July on eir sport in Ireland.

Image: Getty Images/ Clive Rose

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