MAX ULTIMATUM

Four-time world champ warns team: My future depends on our next races

- DANIEL MOXON

MAX VERSTAPPEN has warned Red Bull that the coming races will be “very important” in deciding his Formula One future.

That ominous statement comes amid speculation the 27-year-old could walk away at the end of this season.

Clauses in Verstappen’s contract would allow him to leave if Red Bull do not meet certain performance targets.

They sit third in the constructors’ championship but are only 11 points ahead of Ferrari.

“I want to see how the rest of the season, or at least part of it, goes,’ Verstappen said.

“That's the intention [to stay], unless things go really strangely. But that [a departure] is not my intention at the moment.

“Big, decent steps can be taken by the team.

“The upcoming races are very important, also for my future... I think everyone in the team realises that.”