Audi boss Jonathan Wheatley has said he wants Max Verstappen to drive the team\u2019s car, but admitted it was not a realistic option at the moment.<\/p>\n
Verstappen\u2019s place as the undisputed number one driver in the sport currently puts him at the top of every team principal\u2019s wishlist, but presenting a convincing offer is another thing entirely.<\/p>\n
Audi boss admits team want Max Verstappen in the car<\/p>\n
Verstappen\u2019s ability combined with his age makes him an attractive prospect for any team looking to the future, and while Red Bull is doing its best to keep hold of him, the likes of Mercedes and Aston Martin have also been linked with a move.<\/p>\n
Now, a new player has entered the game in the form of Audi, with team principal Jonathan Wheatley admitted he wants the Dutchman in his car.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I want Max Verstappen to drive our car,\u201d he told De Telegraaf at an Audi event in Munich.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat kind of team principal would I be if I didn\u2019t want that?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m in the fortunate position of having been friends with Max for a long time, but also with his father, Jos, and manager, Raymond. And such a friendship develops because you\u2019re always honest and you never betray the trust you\u2019ve built.\u201d<\/p>\n
More on Audi from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Audi F1 tease next major \u2018milestone\u2019 after R26 concept car reveal<\/a> However, with the team preparing for their first year in F1 and current iteration Sauber down in ninth, Wheatley admitted that his operation was not yet a convincing enough one for Verstappen.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s enough right now to directly link Verstappen to a Formula 1 seat at Audi,\u201d Wheatley said.<\/p>\n As for its targets, Audi is being ambtions and Wheatley said the goal was to compete with tbe best.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to fight with teams like McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull,\u201d says Wheatley.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have been around for a long time, have achieved many successes, and have excellent people working throughout their organisations.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not saying we don\u2019t have that, but we still have to reach that level. If someone misses a race for any reason, there has to be another equally talented person ready to step in.<\/p>\n \u201cAudi\u2019s investment is tremendous, and the goal of fighting for the title in 2030 is aggressive, but in my eyes, certainly achievable.\u201d<\/p>\n
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