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Cape Town - Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has quashed claims that they are eyeing up Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for 2020.
Current number one Sebastian Vettel has been knocking back almost constant rumours of retirement from the sport, while he has also at times struggled against newcomer Charles Leclerc.
The youngster himself has also faced scrutiny over his Ferrari future and it was reported a few months back that his relationship with the team was close to “breaking point“.
However, Binotto made it clear that Ferrari have two drivers under valid contracts and they will still be there in 2020.
“No certainly not and I can only confirm what Seb said,” he told Sky F1 when asked if they were interested in a driver like Verstappen.
“We’ve got two drivers, we’ve got contracts in place and we are very happy.
“Next season our line-up is fixed and there are no reasons we why should changed. I think things are going well in that respect.”
Verstappen faced his own interrogation in Austria over a get-out clause in his Red Bull contract, but team principal Christian Horner was hopeful that his second-consecutive win at the Red Bull Ring will put that talk to bed.
“The contract between the driver and team will always be confidential, but it’s safe to say that every single driver in this pit lane has got probably clauses in their contract,” Horner explained.
“There has been speculation about Max’s contract, it’s purely speculation.
"He’s very happy in the team, he believes in this project and days like these only endorse that. I have no doubts about Max.”
Horner believes Verstappen is the best driver in Formula 1, saying: “I have thought that for a little while,” when posed that question.”
