World Champion Jenson Button: “As Verstappen’s manager, I’d have to do that”

306 Grands Prix, 15 wins, 2009 World Champion, and having stood up to a certain Lewis Hamilton at McLaren: Jenson Button needs no introduction when it comes to how Formula 1 works.

The 46-year-old from Frome was, of course, at Silverstone to watch his home Grand Prix; as a Grand Prix pundit for Sky, he gave his views on the hot topics in the cradle of motorsport. And no topic is hotter than the future of Max Verstappen.

The English Formula 1 champion on the Dutch Formula 1 champion: “Basically, it’s like this – if his management weren’t sounding out the options, they wouldn’t be doing their job properly. As Max’s manager, I have to do that. There are two teams he’d be interested in. McLaren, perhaps, and of course the big name at the moment, Mercedes.”

“Of course, all the drivers at the top four teams are under contract, but money makes the world go round. So there’s always a way to move a driver elsewhere.”

“Max sounds really disillusioned at the moment. He’s putting on a brave face, but I think he’s actually very frustrated with his situation. Not to mention – many of the people he worked with for many years and won world titles with have left or are working elsewhere. That must be very strange for him. It might feel a bit lonely. All the people around him are new.”

“So yes – I think he’ll be looking around. I really do believe that. As Verstappen’s manager, I’d take him to Mercedes, alongside Kimi or George, depending on who they’re looking to let go. And that’s what you have to do. You have to be ruthless, you have to be selfish, because he’s much further ahead in his career than others.”