Mika Hakkinen claims Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull

Two-time Formula 1 champion Mika Hakkinen believes that Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull in the future.

Verstappen sealed his second F1 title at last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix and many have tipped the Dutchman to match or even surpass Sir Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles.

‘Max’s 12th win of the year really shows how much he deserved this year’s World Championship – he dominated,’ Hakkinen, who claimed both the 1998 and 1999 title in Japan, told Unibet.

‘This was a fantastic performance by Max, the kind of race you dream about when going for the World Championship title.

‘He said before the weekend that he just wanted it to be perfect and he was in a class of his own.’

It is looking to be a perfect year for the Red Bull team, with the driver’s championship won and the constructors’ likely to be sealed at the next race in the USA.

They could also complete a 1-2 finish in the standings for the first time ever, with Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez currently in second, a point ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with just four grand prix left.

With everything going swimmingly, Verstappen will no doubt be delighted that he penned a very long contract extension with Red Bull that will keep him with the team till 2028.

The 25-year-old has previously said that he is more than happy to remain at the team for the rest of his career, however long that proves to be, but Hakkinen does not think that will be the case.

The Flying Finn believes that circumstances can change for drivers, and if Verstappen really wants to top Hamilton and Schumacher he may be forced to change teams in case Red Bull cannot deliver a title-winning car.

He added: ‘It is great that Verstappen signs such a long-term contract, but