Verstappen rumors....

[Gerard]

This is from 'All about Arrows.'

Not long ago it was reported that Schumacher had invited the Verstappen family on a holiday in Austria - an invitation that Jos accepted.


Rumors of a move from Verstappen to Ferrari have been fueled by a number of separate news items. For instance, at the Arrows demo day at Zandvoort, when asked about future plans, Jos reportedly just smiled and went on to talk about other things.

Two weeks ago in an Italian newspaper it was reported that Schumacher was talking up Jos's talents, saying that he is one of the best drivers in the rain - and that story alone kick-started a Verstappen-Ferrari question.

The fact that the Schumacher and Verstappen families socialise is well known, as the two were team mates at Benetton in 1994 during Jos's first year in Formula 1. What adds weight to this particular story is additional speculation regarding the performance of Rubens Barrichello and his number 2 status within Ferrari.

Perhaps Ferrari are using the rumor mill to their advantage to put pressure on Barrichello to either quit or do better. Jos is on a two year contract with the Arrows F1 Team and it would cost Ferrari to pinch him. Also Tom Walkinshaw would not be keen on losing an experienced driver, and good team mate to Pedro de la Rosa.