"He is quite clearly world championship material," adds Brundle
Monday 2 November 2015 11:09, UK
Max Verstappen will be at the centre of a three-way bidding war between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, the Sky Sports F1 pundits have predicted.
The Dutchman, who became F1's youngest ever driver this year, has shone in his debut season with Toro Rosso.
Verstappen has already stated he wouldn't be afraid to take on Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes and Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle believes the 18-year-old is the future of Formula 1.
"He is quite clearly world championship material and he is just 18-years-old, they will be fighting like crazy to get hold of him. He is the hottest property in F1 that is not an established race or world championship winner," said Brundle.
"There is a bidding war for him for the future. Quite clearly he is going to be one of the stars for a long to come."
Verstappen was originally expected to join Mercedes as a junior driver in the summer of 2014, before Red Bull offered him a race seat with Toro Rosso - clearly a more enticing proposition than a reserve driver role.
"We are going to see him up against the likes of [Valtteri] Bottas and hopefully more drivers of the calibre of Max Verstappen. Ferrari and Mercedes will be in there desperately trying to get his contract, Red Bull will be trying to keep it."
If a bidding war is declared, Johnny Herbert feels that reigning world champions Mercedes will be in pole position for Verstappen's signature if he becomes available.
"He's got a situation right now probably more with Mercedes. They allowed him to go to Toro Rosso because they couldn't offer him a drive," said the Sky F1 pundit
"So maybe there is more of a link there and that relationship could blossom in the very near future.
"He's going to end up in a very positive place because there seems to be this fight between Mercedes and Ferrari. Why wouldn't you want that guy? He's so young, give him a couple more years and he's still only going to be 20 years old.
"The guy is just on fire every time gets in the car. I'm not surprised everyone wants a piece of him because he's the new future of F1."
Verstappen continued the impressive start to his F1 career by topping the opening practice session on F1's return to Mexico.
