Ferrari “certainly not” interested in Verstappen

Ferrari has no interest in signing Max Verstappen and has a “fixed” driver line-up for the 2020 Formula 1 season, according to Mattia Binotto.

There has been speculation surrounding the future of current Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel following a frustrating period for the German, though he has repeatedly stressed he has no plans to retire from F1 at the end of the year.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari team principal Binotto rejected the notion that the Scuderia could try to poach Verstappen from Red Bull to replace Vettel, insisting its driver line-up would remain unchanged in 2020.

Asked if Verstappen is the type of driver that interests Ferrari, Binotto said: “No certainly not and I can only confirm what Seb said.

“We’ve got two drivers, we’ve got contracts in place and we are very happy.

“Next season our line-up is fixed and there are no reasons we why should changed. I think things are going well in that respect.”

Over the course of the weekend there were ongoing rumours about a possible get-out clause in the Dutchman’s contract should he not win a race by mid-season.

But Verstappen went on to score a historic victory in Austria and Red Bull chief Christian Horner believes his win has put a concrete end to such speculation.

“The contract between the driver and team will always be confidential, but it’s safe to say that every single driver in this pit lane has got probably clauses in their contract,” Horner explained after the race.

“There has been speculation about Max’s contract, it’s purely speculation. He’s very happy in the team, he believes in this project and days like these only endorse that. I have no doubts about Max.”

Asked if he believes Red Bull now has the best driver in F1, Horner replied: “I have thought that for a little while.”