Verstappen not focusing on Ferrari speculation

Max Verstappen insists he is focusing on his development at Toro Rosso amid speculation over a switch to Ferrari.

Following an impressive rookie Formula One season with Red Bull’s sister team, in which he finished with 49 points, Ferrari and Mercedes are thought to be keeping tabs on the 18-year-old.

However, Verstappen is understood to have a long-term contract with Red Bull and he told Autosport: “I just stay quite relaxed about it [the Ferrari speculation].

“It’s very positive that people start to speak about you like that. It’s very nice to hear, but I’m happy with where I am right now.

“I still have a lot of things to learn and I think it’s the perfect way to do it here.

“The package we have here is not that bad compared to Red Bull. We’re not fighting for the world championship yet.

“Who knows? In a few years you will make the jump to a top team, but at the moment, I’m enjoying my time here and fighting for a top 10.

“To get into Q3 all the time is a good fight and I really enjoy it, so I don’t mind to do it for another year.

“Of course, you have some different careers in F1, like Lewis [Hamilton] – he started in a top team and he stayed always in a top team.

“I think especially at my age, if you don’t have so much experience in lower categories, single-seater categories, it’s good to do it like this.”