Verstappen fires Red Bull warning over key personnel

Max Verstappen has told his Red Bull Formula 1 team that it is important they retain their talented technical team amid claims key staff have been approached by rival teams.

Red Bull have been the dominant force in the ground effects era of F1, and have claimed four wins from four Grands Prix to start 2023, and already look like favourites for the world title.

As such, rival squads have been interested in securing the services of important technical staff, with Dan Fallows leaving for Aston Martin and current Technical Director Pierre Wache rumoured to have been approached by Ferrari along with Head of Aero Enrico Balbo - although both are firmly staying in Milton Keynes for now.

When asked for his reaction to the news that tech guru Adrian Newey has extended his contract with the World Champions, Verstappen reiterated the importance of retaining other key members.

Verstappen's Red Bull demand

"Well, nothing will influence anything until 2028 because I have a contract," said Verstappen to media, including RacingNews365.com, referring to his long-term deal with Red Bull.

"But I am very happy of course that Adrian is staying, but that goes for everyone in the team.

"I mean, when you are doing really well, you want to try and keep that whole group together, and of course, that is the target for the team in the future."

In addition to the four wins from four races in 2023, Red Bull won 17 of 22 races in '22, and currently hold a considerable pace advantage over the rest of the field, with Verstappen or teammate Sergio Perez likely to be crowded World Champion, either for the third or first time, respectively.