Max Verstappen's decision to sign a contract extension with Red Bull Racing has allowed the Formula 1 paddock to "breathe a sigh of relief", according to former driver David Coulthard. The new agreement keeps the Dutchman with the Milton Keynes squad until the end of 2030.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Up To Speed podcast ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, Coulthard offered his perspective on the ripple effects of the four-time champion's new deal, which was announced just before his home race weekend.
"I'll tell you who will be breathing a sigh of relief is any other driver that was potentially out of contract because when you've got a Max Verstappen talking to all of the top teams, then you are going to be under threat," the former driver explained.
Coulthard recalled his own experience at McLaren: "I had [a clause] in my first contract with McLaren that they could replace me for Michael Schumacher, and obviously I wasn't particularly happy about that. It wasn't there in my second contract with McLaren, but going from Williams to McLaren, Ron [Dennis] wanted to keep the opportunity and the possibility of being able to get Michael, who clearly at that stage was a rising guy at the beginning of his journey."
Prior to the contract announcement, Verstappen had been linked with Mercedes or McLaren. Coulthard believes George Russell will be among those relieved. "George [Russell] will be breathing a sigh of relief," he said, referencing the Mercedes driver whose position had been rumoured to be under threat. "I know Kimi [Antonelli] said he wouldn't have minded, but the benefit of youth is you don't know what you don't know. I think Max would be a formidable team-mate for anyone."
Verstappen's contract announcement came in the same week that Williams confirmed extensions for both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, easing the driver market tension and allowing the focus to return to on-track action.
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