We have made some NFL media comparisons for Max Verstappen before here at SB Nation.
One such comparison was to Marshawn Lynch before Super Bowl XLIX, who famously answered every question during that Media Day with the line, “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” Over and over again came that answer, for more than five minutes.
Verstappen channeled that at last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, when he refused to answer questions during the FIA Press Conference, fearing a fine for his responses.
Now we have another NFL media moment comparison for the Red Bull driver.
Verstappen met with the media on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, the first Formula 1 race following the stunning decision by Red Bull to remove Christian Horner as Team Principal. Facing questions about Horner’s dismissal and his own future with the team, Verstappen had this to say:
“There is also a possibility I don’t wake up tomorrow, that there is no driving at all.
“Life is unpredictable. In general, I’m very happy where I’m at. And I would hope that still … the target that we set out when we signed the new deal, that I would drive here until the end of my career.”
If that reminds you of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, you are not alone. However, for those wondering about the connection, in the days leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, Shanahan faced questions about the status of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and whether he would still be on the roster or sent to another team via a trade.
Shanahan had this to say: “I can’t guarantee that anybody in the world will be alive Sunday, so I can’t guarantee who will be on our roster on Sunday. So, that goes for all of us.”
That nihilistic response led to several 49ers players calling their head coach the following Monday to let Shanahan know they were still alive.
As for Verstappen’s future with Red Bull and the much-rumored move to Mercedes, the driver made it clear that he views his future aligned with his current team, and what matters is how much they can improve their car this season and how well they can develop their car for next year.
“I don’t think it will matter at all for my decision in the future. At the end, the only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can make it,” said Verstappen.
“The last one and a half years have not been where we want to be. Now we try to be more competitive, this year a little bit, but for sure also with the new regulations.”
As for Horner’s dismissal, Verstappen noted that the team has the right to make such decisions, and that at the end of the day he is one of the team’s drivers, with a job to do in the car.
“At the end of the day, management and the shareholders decided that they wanted a change, and at the end of the day, they run the team, and I’m the driver.
“So, whatever they decide, it’s fully in their right to do what they want. And that’s basically how it happened.”
After reflecting on the team’s accomplishments under Horner, Verstappen looked to the future.
“And at the same time now, sitting here, you look back at those 20 years of Red Bull, I think we’ve had a lot of great, great years, great, great results,” added Verstappen.
“Naturally, there are also years where it’s not going that well, and I think the last one and a half years have not gone how we would have liked. And management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction, probably. And then everyone else has to agree to that and look forward.”
That process begins this week in Belgium.
