Max Verstappen was ‘fed up’ of being asked one question by the media at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen made headlines at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for many reasons. The most notable talking point was his first corner incident with Oscar Piastri.

The Dutchman took his second pole position of the season by just one hundredth of a second over the Aussie. Verstappen got a decent start off the line, but Piastri drew alongside and was marginally ahead going into turn one.

Verstappen let his foot off the brake – something he is notorious for doing in battles – to try and retake the advantage, ending up cutting turn two and reclaiming the lead.

Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty, but did not give back the position until his only pit stop. Martin Brundle agreed Verstappen’s penalty was lenient as he enjoyed clean air out in front during the first stint.

It did not make much of a difference, however, as Piastri pulled ahead by a few seconds after the Red Bull driver pitted and won his third race of the season. Christian Horner protested Verstappen’s innocence with diagrams in the press conference to prove he was ahead, but was unsuccessful.

The four-time champion’s latest penalty from the FIA was another headline for the media to grasp. Verstappen appeared to be ‘fed up’ with all the attention he was receiving.

Max Verstappen was ‘fed up’ of being asked about his Red Bull future at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Throughout the first triple header of 2025, speculation was rife about Verstappen’s future with Red Bull. Verstappen has been getting increasingly frustrated with the team’s start to the season and their difficulties with the RB21.

Even Verstappen, for whom the car is so tailored, is struggling to understand its sensitive nature. This has prompted rumours that he could leave Red Bull before his contract expires in 2028, with Mercedes and Aston Martin heavily linked with the 27-year-old.

Unsurprisingly, it was a topic of discussion with the media at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with Mercedes, Aston Martin, Red Bull and Verstappen being asked about the speculation. Journalist Filip Cleeren says the four-time champion was ‘fed up of the questions about his future.

He said via Autosport: “I think there’s also a wider narrative of Max being a little bit fed up with all the media hype around him and his future and everybody asking Mercedes about him, Aston Martin.

“I think it’s just, in general, a bit fed up after this triple header of having to answer all these questions and then this comes on top of it.

“The FIA point is a good point, he’s already gotten in trouble before, so he’s like: ‘I just want to get out of here.”

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Who are the favourites to sign Max Verstappen?

As aforementioned, Verstappen is contracted at Red Bull until 2028 and has consistently put down any rumours that he could leave before then. However, it is entirely possible.

Verstappen has an exit clause that allows him to leave if Red Bull fall outside the top three of the constructors’ championship. They currently sit third, but are already 99 points behind McLaren.

The Milton Keynes outfit’s future does not look promising either. Red Bull’s 2026 engine is ’10 horsepower’ down in power compared to their rivals, according to Helmut Marko, giving Verstappen every reason to be concerned.

This will heighten speculation around the Dutchman’s future, with Aston Martin said to be doing everything they can to bring him on board their project. Aston Martin has offered a £206m-a-year contract to Verstappen that spans over five years.

Mercedes cannot be ruled out either, given Toto Wolff’s admiration for the 27-year-old and previous interest in him last season. Ted Kravitz thinks Wolff would drop George Russell to sign Verstappen and not ‘think twice’ about it, even if his current line-up is impressing in 2025.