Verstappen quashes suggestions he wants to jump Red Bull ship

Max Verstappen has quashed suggestions that he wants to jump ship now that Red Bull have potentially been caught by McLaren and Ferrari, with leaving the Austrians not being on his mind. 

After building a sizeable lead in the opening rounds of the 2024 F1 season, Verstappen has seen his championship advantage cut to just 31 points after finishing sixth in the Monaco Grand Prix. 

Despite winning the round prior to Monaco in Imola, Red Bull has not had the strongest package across the last three races. 

McLaren in particular have shown exceptional pace and are viewed by some as perhaps being on a par with Red Bull, a staggering turnaround considering where the British outfit found themselves 12 months ago. 

Red Bull's recent struggles has been put down to the RB20's difficulties riding bumps and kerbs, which are expected to potentially continue at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. 

However, once F1 returns to Europe and smoother circuits, the typically dominant outfit will likely stretch its legs once again.

Not how F1 works

Given Red Bull's recent performances, Verstappen was asked whether he would like to move to McLaren, with the Woking-based side having been so strong in Miami, Imola and Monaco.

"Well, it doesn't work that way," Verstappen told select media including RacingNews365 ahead of the Monaco GP.

"I think we still have a very, very fast car. And if you look at the average of the season so far, I think we have the fastest car. Otherwise you don't lead the championship. But I'm happy with where I am now.

"There is also so much investment in the engine. And I'm satisfied. We just have to keep working and trying to improve our package. That's all I'm thinking about at the moment."

Verstappen is focused purely on Red Bull and is not looking at the likes of McLaren following its sensational rise in form.

The reigning world champion even suggested that a driver would have to move team "almost every race", should they want the strongest car for each event.

"I think if you start thinking like that, you can change almost every race if you want to go to another team. But I'm not thinking about it," Verstappen concluded.