Max Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has fired a warning shot at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and anyone looking to challenge the Dutchman in his quest to become a double Formula 1 World Champion. The 2021 season ended in unforgettable fashion for Verstappen, with the Red Bull driver overtaking fierce rival Hamilton on the last lap of the final race to end an epic title fight on top. The two drivers came together multiple times over the course of the season, and ended the year fighting side by side in Abu Dhabi. Now Verstappen has been rewarded for his triumph with a new long-term deal that will keep him at Red Bull until the end of 2028. This year, with the number one on his car, Verstappen is looking to make it a double to become only the 11th man in history to win back-to-back championships. But in order to do so, he will have to hope that Red Bull have built him a car fit to follow their rapid 2021 machine.
Verstappen knows "exactly what is coming"
Speaking to Dutch publication De Telegraaf , Vermeulen spoke with confidence as he looked ahead to 2022 and beyond for Red Bull. Verstappen's new deal comes at an interesting moment for the sport, with much uncertainty over who will lead the pack during the upcoming season following the introduction of new technical regulations. There is also an engine freeze on the horizon, making it harder for teams who may lack in power to gain ground on the grid's more dominant power units. But as Red Bull prepare for 2026, when their car will be fitted with an all-new Red Bull Powertrains engine, Verstappen has plenty to be excited about. "Red Bull's plans for the future look very good. When I see the fighting spirit within the team, it suits us perfectly," said Vermeulen. "Formula 1 is entering a new period, it is not crazy to think about the long term. Red Bull's vision goes further than the first races of the coming season. "We know exactly what is coming and who is in. The team occupy the top positions. The situation feels extremely happy."
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Really proud to announce that @redbullracing will be my home until at least 2028. I love this team and I am very happy to continue this amazing journey we are on for a long time. We have accomplished so much together already but we are definitely not done.đŞâď¸ pic.twitter.com/ONWq32B835 â Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) March 3, 2022
F1 has "not seen the best" of Verstappen yet
As Red Bull aim to bring improvements to their car year-on-year, they will hope that Verstappen can establish himself as the sport's dominant driver. History tells the 24-year-old that he certainly has time on his side, with both Michael Schumacher and Hamilton having won the majority of their World Championship titles during their thirties. "We must also not forget that Red Bull has offered Max an F1 contract at the age of 16 and has prepared him well," his manager continued. "Of course, there have been discussions, but how it went, in the end, couldn't have been better." Vermeulen then warned Verstappen's rivals: "I think the curve is not over yet. "Max is still in a moment of growth. We have not seen the best of him yet."
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