'Peculiar' Verstappen offered Red Bull exit problem

Former F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve has offered Max Verstappen a potential problem should he want to leave Red Bull, and has described the reigning world champion as "peculiar". 

Throughout the winter break, rumours have circulated over whether the Red Bull driver could leave the Milton Keynes-based team. 

Aston Martin were reported to have been preparing a $1 billion offer for the four-time world champion, although it was categorically denied by the outfit.

In addition, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has often spoken about how he would like to sign the Dutchman. 

Wolff spoke to Verstappen last season, although the 27-year-old outlined his loyalty to Red Bull. Verstappen is contracted to the Austrian outfit until the end of 2028. 

However, ahead of the 2025 F1 season which gets underway this weekend in Australia, Verstappen has also raised concerns over his team. 

Red Bull encountered issues with the RB21 during pre-season testing, and is already expected to struggle next year when it becomes a powertrain supplier for the new regulations. 

It is a huge 12 months for Red Bull should it want to keep Verstappen, although Villeneuve is unsure whether the driver will find another team with a car that suits his style.

"It depends on what's available," Villeneuve told Yaysweepstakes. "Maybe next year there's not an exciting team available for Max Verstappen to leave to join. Even if most teams would want him, maybe the opportunity is not there.

"It's really difficult to understand. He is a peculiar driver. He really drives to the limit and is always on it. He needs a specific car. Not every car that would suit his driving style.

"He seems to love very precise cars, very pointy cars with a very good front end, and he can manage the rear. Not many drivers can do that or can do that consistently and not many cars get driven like this or are designed like this.

"Basically the way he drives and the way the car then gets developed makes it really difficult for Formula 2 drivers because they come from an inherently understeering car in Formula 3, and Formula 2 they're designed similarly — huge amounts of understeer so they drive differently."