F1: a Vettel-Verstappen partnership at Red Bull? It’s not likely...

Marko: two Vs at Red Bull is very difficult

Helmut Marko says the possibility of Sebastian Vettel returning to Red Bull Racing is financially difficult while Max Verstappen is there.

Verstappen last month signed a new contract with Red Bull that will see the 22-year-old continue driving for the team until at least the end of the 2023 season.

German driver Vettel, a four-time Formula 1 world champion from his days at Red Bull, is out of contract with Ferrari at the end of the season and there has been speculation regarding his future in the sport.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

A return to Red Bull has been rumoured but team advisor Marko has played down that option.

He told German website Motorsport-Magazin.com: “With the extension of Max’s contract, I can hardly imagine the two V’s being with us. From a simple financial point of view it would be very difficult.”

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Max: Lewis is very good, but he’s not God

Verstappen goes into the 2020 season aiming to stop Lewis Hamilton’s dominance at the front of the grid and challenge the Mercedes star for the drivers’ championship.

Speaking at a media event yesterday, Verstappen was asked about six-time world champion Hamilton and also Red Bull’s title ambitions.

Verstappen said: “It’s very car-dependent of course in Formula 1. Lewis is very good. He is definitely one of the best out there, but he’s not God. Maybe God is with him, but he is not God.

“We really want to mount a challenge to especially Mercedes and I think we can do that.”

Red Bull RB16 launch date

The launch dates for the 2020 F1 cars are now confirmed following Red Bull’s announcement that they will unveil the RB16 on 12 February.

Ferrari will be the first team to reveal their 2020 challenger with the Italians holding an event on 11 February at the Romolo Valli Municipal Theatre in Reggio Emilia.

Haas and Alfa Romeo will be the final teams to launch their new cars, on the morning of the first day of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain.

F1 2020 car launch dates

• 11 February: Ferrari (Reggio Emilia, Italy)
• 12 February: Renault R.S.20 (France)
• 12 February: Red Bull Racing RB16 (Milton Keynes, UK)
• 13 February: McLaren MCL35 (Woking, UK)
• 14 February: Alpha Tauri C39 (Salzburg, Austria)
• 14 February: Mercedes W11 (Silverstone, UK)
• 17 February: Racing Point (Mondsee, Austria)
• 17 February: Williams FW43 (8am GMT; Grove, UK)
• 19 February: Haas VF-20 (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain)
• 19 February: Alfa Romeo (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain)

Giovinazzi ‘dreams’ of Ferrari seat

Italian Antonio Giovinazzi admits that he dreams of driving for Ferrari in 2021. The 26-year-old is currently racing for Alfa Romeo, but is part of Ferrari’s Driver Academy.

Charles Leclerc has recently signed a new long-term deal with Ferrari while Sebastian Vettel’s contract expires at the end of this season.

This could mean an opportunity opens up for a spot alongside Leclerc next year.

Giovinazzi told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I would be lying if I said I do not dream of Ferrari. The most important thing for me is to fully concentrate on my work, but I know that if I perform well in 2020, I will have a chance.

“I already have a great relationship with Charles. We talk a lot and go to the same restaurants in Monaco.”

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––