Door could open for Verstappen to join Ferrari in 2017

With reports doing the rounds in Italy suggesting that Max Verstappen's Red Bull contract may not be 100% bulletproof, the Dutchman has thrown some praise in the direction of Ferrari number 1 Sebastian Vettel.

The young Dutchman revealed earlier this month that contract negotiations with Red Bull were completed, “We already have done. Of course, I have a contract with Red Bull and I am very happy where I am exactly."

However, writing for the authoritative La Gazzetta dello Sport, Luigi Perna suggested that a clause in the 18-year-old's current contract means he would be free to switch to another team for 2017 unless he is promoted from Toro Rosso to the Red Bull senior team.

"Will the Cavallino (Ferrari) finally take a risk with a young driver or renew for a fourth year with Kimi Raikkonen, and thus pleasing Vettel?" Perna wondered.

But in a move that might be interpreted making a curtsy towards Maranello and endearing himself to Vettel at the same time, Verstappen told La Gazzetta that of his Formula 1 peers he is most impressed with the quadruple world champion.

"Drivers that are comfortable with their team and know how to motivate them always stick out to me," observed Verstappen and added, "Vettel is a great example of that. I think that spirit is the most important thing for a driver."

Asked late last year if youngster Verstappen would fit in at Ferrari, Vettel said, "I don't know. There are many drivers coming up, some younger than others."

And when to compare how he and Michael Schumacher began their F1 journeys, the German responded, "All I know is that [Max[ is much younger than Michael or even myself were when we started in F1. I think it is always difficult to compare."

"You can try to (compare) with numbers, but people are always different. Max has been brilliant in many races and deserves congratulations, but he is also very young and still has a very long way to go," added Vettel.

Meanwhile, with regards to the growing rivalry with teammate Carlos Sainz, which led to Verstappen's temper tantrum in Melbourne, the teenager said, "We both want to beat each other, but that’s normal for team mates."

"We push each other to the limit. But I don’t live this as a struggle, I’m much more concentrated on making sure that I keep improving. Away from the track Carlos and I have had some great moments and I hope it will continue to be like this," concluded Verstappen.

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