Oliver Biermann ‘flattering’ F1 news on Red Bull rumours

British driver Oliver Biermann says he is “flattered” by speculation linking him to Red Bull amid ongoing uncertainty over Max Verstappen’s future with the team.

Verstappen has a Red Bull contract until 2028 but his representatives are understood to have held talks with McLaren last month as the four-time world champion considers his options for next year.

Since then, Haas’ Biermann has been rumored to be potentially interested in Red Bull in the future and the British driver was asked about links ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1.

“With a team like Red Bull, who are incredibly successful and to be associated with them in any way, even if it’s rumours, is very nice,” said Biermann, who is midway through his second full F1 campaign.

“But like I said, these are just rumors, and I’m fully focused on what I’m doing here with Haas at the moment.”

Biermann made his debut at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for the Scuderia as a Ferrari junior from 2022 and a replacement for Carlos Sainz, who underwent surgery for appendicitis.

He made his full F1 debut for Haas last year but had the upper hand over teammate Esteban Ocon, a trend that has continued this season.

The 21-year-old, who has no contract until 2027, has previously said his “ultimate goal” is a future Ferrari seat and will remain at Ferrari over Red Bull, “waiting in the dark” if given the choice.

“I don’t have a full, let’s say, say in it. But Ferrari believed in me from the start in Formula 3 and put me in that car in 2024,” he said.

“They’re really the reason I’m here right now. Right now I’m enjoying what I’m doing with Haas and the faster I can go now, the easier I’ll make my life in the future.”

Verstappen pecks the future with tight lips

As for Verstappen, he may have until October to decide whether he wants to stay at Red Bull for 2027.

The Dutchman is free to activate a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave at the end of the season as he will not be in the top two in the drivers’ championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last round before the summer break.

“I don’t want to go here and say yes and no, and this and that, about my future. I’ve already said many times that if there was something new, I would have said it myself,” said Verstappen.

Performance will be the main factor in Verstappen’s decision and Red Bull have endured a mixed season so far as they continue to recover from a disappointing start to the year.

Despite developing their own power unit for the first time, Red Bull was deemed by the FIA ​​to have the best engine, but lacked cornering performance due to aerodynamic and chassis deficiencies.

But Verstappen came within two seconds of winning just two races at the Austrian Grand Prix, before retiring at the British Grand Prix with a rear wing failure – the second active aero-related problem, leading to a crash in two weeks.

“We’re just looking to the future, trying to solve our current problems with the car, but it’s a very open discussion,” said Verstappen.

“Sometimes you’re a bit disappointed or upset after a race, but, for example, at Silverstone after you go home, you reset. On Wednesday, I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekend ahead. That’s how we worked together all year.

“Obviously, some years you’re a little more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”

Sky Sports F1’s Belgian GP schedule

Friday 17 July
8.50am: Exercised F3
10am: F2 practice
12.00pm: Belgian GP Practice One (Session starts at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 qualifying
2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
3.30pm: Belgian GP Practice Two (Session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 show

Saturday 18 July
9am: F3 sprint
11.15am: Belgian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.15pm: F2 sprint
2.15pm: Belgian GP Qualifying Build-up*
3pm: Belgian GP Qualifying*

Sunday 19 July
7.30am: F3 Feature Race
9am: F2 Feature Race
10.45am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Belgian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
2pm: Belgian Grand Prix
4pm: Belgian GP reaction: checkered flag

*Also on Sky Sports main events

Formula 1’s summer run continues this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime