Piero Ferrari, vice-chairman of Scuderia Ferrari and son of the team’s founder Enzo Ferrari, has confirmed he has tracked the career of Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen since the Dutchman’s debut in Formula 1. This long-standing attention highlights Ferrari’s ongoing evaluation of Verstappen amid a season where his talent remains a central focus in F1 discussions.
As the 2024 season unfolds, Verstappen continues to draw significant Max Verstappen Ferrari attention, especially if Red Bull struggles to compete for race wins right from the start. Ferrari’s interest endures despite Verstappen’s indicated loyalty to Red Bull in recent months, reflecting the complex dynamics of the driver market this year.
Monitoring Verstappen’s Status Within Red Bull and Its Future Implications
Ferrari remains vigilant about Verstappen’s satisfaction at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes base, aware that the shifting F1 landscape could eventually create openings for a driver of his calibre. Verstappen has been previously linked with Ferrari, a scenario gaining weight considering Lewis Hamilton’s approaching retirement and Charles Leclerc’s public frustrations with Ferrari’s car performance.
The possibility of Verstappen joining Ferrari at Maranello becomes more compelling in this light, with Piero Ferrari’s admiration potentially influencing any future negotiations. The team’s need to secure a top-tier driver alongside Leclerc is evident, particularly as the 28-year-old Dutchman’s talent continues to evolve on the championship stage.
Origins of Ferrari’s Interest in Verstappen Dating Back to 2016
In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Piero Ferrari reflected on how his father might have viewed Verstappen, suggesting that Enzo Ferrari would have respected the young driver’s ability to push performance boundaries. Piero recalled a pivotal moment in Barcelona at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix when Verstappen achieved his first victory. This race marked the beginning of Ferrari’s focused attention on the Red Bull star.
He would have appreciated his ability to push the limits of the car.
?Piero Ferrari, Ferrari Vice-Chairman
I was in Barcelona in 2016 when he won his first race: I’ve been following him closely ever since.
?Piero Ferrari, Ferrari Vice-Chairman
Verstappen’s Impact Since His Unprecedented Early Success
Verstappen’s debut with Red Bull came in 2016 when he replaced Daniil Kvyat. His maiden win at the Spanish Grand Prix was notable, as he capitalized on Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg’s crash on the first lap to secure victory, becoming F1’s youngest Grand Prix winner at just 18 years old. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner immediately recognized Verstappen’s exceptional potential.
While Ferrari continues to have faith in Leclerc’s capabilities, the team has struggled to provide him with a car capable of consistent championship contention. This historical challenge may hinder Ferrari’s ability to attract Verstappen if Red Bull remains competitive or if Ferrari fails to improve quickly. Ferrari’s recent performance raises questions about their ability to convince a driver of Verstappen’s caliber to switch teams.
Piero Ferrari Comments on New F1 Car Regulations and Their Impact
The 2026 Formula 1 regulations have introduced cars that require intricate energy management, a subject Verstappen has openly critiqued by comparing the vehicles to “Formula E on steroids.” Managing battery recharge and deployment during race laps adds a new layer of complexity, affecting qualifying strategies and overall race tactics. These challenges will be closely watched during the Australian Grand Prix, where circuit characteristics complicate energy conservation.
Regarding these changes, Piero Ferrari noted that the new generation of cars demands strategic understanding but are more predictable than the earlier ground-effect models. He quoted his father’s likely perspective, emphasizing the cars’ honesty in performance and expressing confidence that racing excitement will remain intact or even improve under the new rules.
My father would have said, ‘They’re more honest.’ Personally, I’m convinced the show won’t suffer; on the contrary.
?Piero Ferrari, Ferrari Vice-Chairman
Significance of Ferrari’s Long-Term Observation of Verstappen and Future Outlook
Piero Ferrari’s decade-long observation of Max Verstappen illustrates Ferrari’s strategic approach to driver formation and future planning. With the F1 driver market becoming increasingly complex this year, monitoring Verstappen’s motivations and career choices carries major implications for Ferrari’s competitiveness and driver lineup decisions.
As Lewis Hamilton steps closer to the end of his career and Charles Leclerc seeks a championship-winning car, Ferrari’s potential pursuit of Verstappen could reshape the team’s prospects. However, the challenge remains for Ferrari to deliver a car capable of challenging Red Bull and ensuring Verstappen’s interests align with their ambitions.
Looking ahead, Ferrari’s ability to convert longstanding admiration into a concrete driver acquisition will greatly influence the team’s trajectory and its prospects in the 2020s era of Formula 1.
